To obtain a motor vehicle driving permit, a person must be seventeen (17) years of age or older, and must first apply for a provisional driving permit for the class of vehicle to be driven. Application for a provisional permit, commonly called a Learner's Permit, can be made to the Licensing Offices at-
Wrightson Road, Port of Spain
O'Meara Road, Arima
By-Pass Road, San Fernando
Milford Road, Scarborough, Tobago
The provisional permit authorises the applicant to drive the class of vehicle specified on the road only if accompanied by a person qualified to instruct, pending the successful completion of a driving test.
There are seven (7) classes of motor vehicles:
Class 1 - Motor Cycles.
Class 2 - Wheel tractors.
Class 3 - Light Motor Vehicles (including private motor cars, taxis with tare weight not exceeding 2270 kg and light goods vehicles not exceeding a maximum gross weight of 2950 kg).
Class 4 - Heavy motor vehicle (including motor vehicles whose maximum weight does not exceed 15240 kg).
Class 5 - Extra heavy motor vehicles (including motor vehicles whose maximum gross weight exceeds 15240 kg).
Class 6 - Motor Omnibuses.
Class 7 - Motor Vehicles not specified in Classes 1 to 6 Motor.
Provisional permits are not issued for motor vehicles in Classes 4, 5, 6, or 7 unless the learner is 21 years or older and has already held a driving permit (for not less than 12 months) for a motor vehicle in the next lower class. For example: to obtain a permit for Class 4 - (Heavy vehicles), the driver must have a driving permit for Class 3 - (Light vehicles).
The Highway Code and Study Guide are necessary to pass the written examination. The costs of there are $10 and $1 respectively.
1. A birth certificate and an ID card or passport must be presented.
2. Three passport size photographs with a green background.
3. The fee of ten dollars ($10.00) is required for a provisional permit. The provisional permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.
4. A medical certificate is required to obtain provisional permits for all classes of vehicles except Class 3 (private motor cars only) and Class 1 motor cycles.
5. A fee of $100.00 is required when making an appointment for the Regulations examination. You will be informed on the same day whether you have passed or not. You can then make an appointment for the driving test.
When the applicant has passed the driving test an additional fee of two hundred and ten dollars ($210.00) is required to obtain the driver's permit.
1. The application form for renewal is available at the information counter at the main office and all branch offices.
2. The completed form is presented with the Driver's Permit, and some form of identification either Passport or ID Card.
3. The applicant goes to the counter clerk where the information is verified on the computer system and updated.
4. The applicant pays $200 to the cashier than proceeds to the photograph room where his/her picture is taken and the said permit is renewed.
Persons with medical problems/disabilities or who are between the ages of 63 and 65 must produce a medical certificate when renewing permits. This is done annually. A fee of $15 is paid.
Persons 65 years and older must also produce a medical certificate when renewing permits, however, no fee is paid for renewals.
A duplicate Driver's Permit is granted when the original licence is lost.
1. Report lost licence to the nearest Police Station.
2. Swear to a Commissioner of Affidavit using the reverse side of the driver's permit form.
3. Applicant comes in to the Duplicating Section of the Licencing Department, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain where information will be verified on the computer.
A fee of $40 is to be paid to the Cashier.
Applicant proceeds to the photography room where his/her picture is taken and a duplicate permit is issued.
Courtesy Ministry of Public Administration and Information