Transport Division Offices
The Transport Division is responsible for all driving and vehicle licensing transactions. Transport Division offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, except public holidays.
Changing ownership of a motor vehicle and vehicle safety inspection can only be done at the Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago offices.
ARIMA
O'meara Road, Arima
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 667-0172
CHAGUANAS
Corner Main Road and Railway Road, Chaguanas
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 665-5989
PRINCES TOWN
LP 235 Iere Village, Princes Town
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 655-8871
PORT OF SPAIN
Wrightson Road, Port of Spain
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 625-1031
PT. FORTIN
62 - 64 Main Road, Pt. Fortin
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 648-2865
SAN FERNANDO
Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville, San Fernando
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 657-7451
ST. JAMES
Western Main Road, St. James
Trinidad
Tel. (868) 628-2004
(Driving Licence Renewal and duplicate services only)
TOBAGO
Milford Road, Scarborough
Tobago
Tel. (868) 639-2466
Fax. (868) 660-7820
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Applying for a Provisional Driver's Permit (Learner's Permit)
A Provisional Permit is a learner’s permit. A Provisional Permit entitles you to drive a vehicle of the class specified, but only when you are under the immediate supervision of a person who has held a driving permit for more than five years. You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a Provisional Permit.
- Complete an Application for Driver's Permit/Endorsement Form (Form No. 4).
- Complete a Medical Certificate (Form No. 2) if you are over 63 years old or if you are applying for a Class 2 or 7 permit.
- Produce your original birth certificate and a valid national ID card or passport.
- Submit two passport size photographs.
- Pay the prescribed fees (listed below).
Your Provisional Permit will be issued immediately. The Permit is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issue. You can apply for a Driver's Permit any time after obtaining a Provisional permit. Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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Obtaining a Driving Permit if You Are a Non-Resident
If you are a non-resident and the holder a valid driving permit from another country, you are entitled to drive for 90 days from the date of arrival in Trinidad and Tobago with your foreign driving permit. If your period of stay is more than 90 days, you are required to apply for a Trinidad and Tobago driving permit.
How can I apply for a Trinidad and Tobago driving permit?
A Regulation Study Guide and Highway Code is available from the cashier at all Transport Division offices for TT$15.00. This Guide will help you prepare for the written regulation examination. Please follow the link below for a list of Transport Division offices.
When you are ready to write the exam, you must bring three passport size photos with a green background to the nearest Transport Division office and:
- Complete Application for Driving Permit/Endorsement (Form No. 4).
- Produce your valid foreign driving permit and passport showing date of entry.
- Complete the written regulation exam to test your knowledge of traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
- Pay the applicable fee if successful.
No appointment is necessary. You can usually collect your driver’s permit the same day if you come to the office before noon. If you wait more than 90 days after your arrival to apply for a driving permit, you must complete the entire process for obtaining a driving permit, including a road test. Please follow the link below for information on applying for a provisional driver's permit if you have waited more than 90 days. Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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Obtaining an International Driver's Permit (IDP)
An International Driver's Permit gives residents of Trinidad and Tobago the right to drive in other countries. This permit only verifies that you hold a valid licence in your home country and cannot be used as a form of identification.
How can I obtain an International Driver's Permit?
You must be the holder of a current Trinidad and Tobago driver's licence. An International Driver's Permit will not be issued if you are under the age of 18 or hold a learner permit.
Simply bring your current licence and two passport-sized photos to the Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Association at the address below.
Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Association
41 Woodford Street
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Tel. (868) 622-7194 or (868) 628-9047
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 2:45 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
How long is it valid?
An International Driver's Permit is valid for one year from the date of issue.
How much does it cost?
The cost for an IDP is TT$60.00.
Applying for a Driver's Permit
Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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How do I apply for Driver's Permit?
A driver's permit authorizes a person 17 years or older to drive a motor vehicle. You can apply for different classes of driver's permit for different vehicles. Please follow the “Motor Vehicle Classification” link in the Related Services section on the left of your screen for more information on the class of Driver's Permit you need for your vehicle.
There are two stages for obtaining a driver's permit. First you must apply for a Provisional Permit (or learner’s permit) that allows you to drive in the company of an experienced driver. After you have been issued a Provisional Permit, you can apply for a Driver's Permit. Please look above for information on applying for a Provisional Permit.
- Complete an Application for Driver Permit/Endorsement Form (Form No. 4).
- Complete a Medical Certificate (Form No. 2) if you are over 63 years old or if you are applying for a Class 2 or 7 permit.
- Produce your valid Provisional Permit.
- Produce your original birth certificate and a valid national ID card or passport.
- Pay the prescribed fees (listed below).
When you submit your application you will be given a date for your written Regulation Test. This test is designed to assess your knowledge of the rules of the road. If you pass this test you will be given an appointment for your practical driving test. If you fail the test, you must make an appointment to take the test again. Study materials for the Regulation Test and Driving Test are available at all Transport Division offices. Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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Replacing a Lost, Stolen or Damaged Driver's Permit
If your driver's permit has been lost, stolen or damaged you may apply to a Transport Division office for a duplicate permit. A duplicate permit is a copy of the original, includes any endorsements and will be valid for the same period as your original permit.
First, you must report your lost or stolen driver's permit to the nearest police station and obtain a police report. Please follow the link below for police station locations. You must then visit your local Transport Division office to pick up a Application for Driver's Permit/Endorsement (Form No. 4). Please follow the link below for office locations. You must take the form to a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Affidavits and fill out the sworn declaration (item 15) on the back of the form. You must then return to the Transport Division office with the completed form.
- Produce acceptable identification (e.g. valid national ID card or passport).
- Produce the police report.
- Complete a Medical Certificate (Form No. 2) if you are over 63 years old or if you are applying for a Class 2 or 7 permit.
- Pay the TT$40.00 fee.
The duplicate driver's permit is issued immediately. Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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Changing Ownership of a Motor Vehicle
You must register with the Transport Division any time you wish to buy, sell or change ownership of a motor vehicle. The registered owner and the new owner together must apply for a change of ownership within seven days of the sale or transfer. You must be at least 17 years of age to change ownership of a vehicle.
The registered owner and the new owner must complete the transfer together and submit the following documents to the Transport Division office. Please note that change of ownership applications are processed at the Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago offices only. Please follow the link below for office locations. The application is processed on the same day.
To change ownership you must:
- Complete Change of Ownership Form No. 11 (obtainable at the Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago offices).
- Submit the vehicle registration certificate and valid insurance certificate.
- Submit a valid national ID card or passport for both the registered and new owner.
- Present receipt of sale (where applicable).
- Pay the prescribed transfer tax and fee (see section below).
How much does it cost?
The transfer fee is TT$10.00. The transfer taxes vary according to the age of the vehicle:
- 2 years or newer, TT$4,000.00.
- Over 2 years but not over 5 years, TT$3,000.00.
- Over 5 years but not over 7 years, TT$2,000.00.
- Over 7 years but not over 10 years, TT$900.00.
- Over 10 years, TT$100.00.
For more information please contact the Transport Division office nearest you, or the Transport Division head office.
Ministry of Works and Transport
Transport Division
Wrightson Road
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 627-7451
Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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Motor Vehicle Classification
All motor vehicles in Trinidad and Tobago are classified according to their size and purpose. If you are the holder of a driver's permit, you are eligible to drive the class of vehicle for which your permit has been issued.
| Classification |
Type of Vehicles |
| Class 1 |
Motorcycles |
| Class 2 |
Wheel Tractors |
| Class 3 |
Light motor vehicles (including private motor cars, taxis with a tare weight not exceeding 2270 kilograms, maxi taxis whatever their tare weight and light goods vehicles not exceeding a maximum gross weight of 2950 kilograms. |
| Class 4 |
Heavy motor vehicles (including motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 2950 kilograms but less than 15240 kilograms). |
| Class 5 |
Extra heavy motor vehicles (including motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 15000 kilograms). |
| Class 6 |
Motor omnibuses. |
| Class 7 |
Motor vehicles not specified in Classes 1 to 6. |
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Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection
All motor vehicles operating on public roads must be inspected to ensure their roadworthiness. It is the responsibility of vehicle owners to have their vehicles inspected. Inspection of motor vehicles is performed by private testing stations that are authorized by the Ministry of Works of Transport, or by the Transport Division (at the Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago offices only).
When a vehicle passes the inspection, a sticker is placed on the inside of the windscreen. This sticker is valid for a period of one to five years, depending on the age and type of the vehicle.
- New Passenger cars for private use: sticker valid for five years.
- Passenger cars for private use over five years old: sticker valid for two years.
- Taxis, buses for business use, trucks, tank lories, buses for private use, motor vehicles for kindergarten children: sticker valid for one year.
You must take your vehicle in to be inspected before your sticker expires. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker.
Vehicles can be inspected at an authorised testing station or at the Port of Spain, San Fernando or Tobago Transport Division offices.
The following items are inspected during a safety inspection and must be kept in good working order at all times:
- Seat belts.
- Brakes.
- Steering and front end.
- Suspension.
- Tires and wheels.
- Lights.
- Windshield wipers.
- Horn.
The safety inspection fee is TT$165.00 for a vehicle tested at an authorised inspection station and TT$150.00 for vehicles tested at a Transport Division office.
The original certified copy and a current certificate of insurance must be presented at the time of inspection.
For more information please contact the Transport Division office nearest you, or the Transport Division head office.
Ministry of Works and Transport
Transport Division
Wrightson Road
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 627-7451
Please log onto www.gov.tt for further information.
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