How to renew drivers permit

How to  renew drivers permit in Trinidad and Tobago. Updated Nov 2022.

The expiration dates have been extended but you can still have an ignorant officer stop you and have issues so please renew asap.

 

Check for the latest guidelines from the Government on this link
https://www.mowt.gov.tt/Divisions/Transport-Division/Services/Drivers-Permits
Permits valid until 1st August 2022 - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0fyqenWBTpktrjsr38L8X7LPQdKw5pscCnFDUsQaefRWR6sKVzoFfpoKfu9bVu2BNl&id=100064500408566

Walk in renewals are allowed if you carry in a printed ticket and a valid passport. Without these you will need an appointment. As expected the website and social media accounts are inaccurate. Why the MOWT needs a copy of your passport is questionable. 

Walk in renewal available without appointment - Link 1

If you DO NOT have a valid ticket and passport then do these steps-

1. Book your appointment at this site - https://licensingappointment.mowt.gov.tt/

You can choose any location on either island. Check another office if your first choice only has an open spot many weeks away. Eg Choose St. James or Princes Town instead of Port of Spain or San Fernando. You will get an email confirming your appointment with the date, confirmation number, booking number and 2D barcode. 

Main offices:
Caroni - Southern Main Road Frederick Settlement (868) 612-4682 / 665- 5989
San Fernando - Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville (868) 657-7451
Tobago - Milford Road, Shaw Park Scarborough (868) 639-2466

Sub offices: 
Arima - Ministry of Works and Transport Compound O’Meara Road (868) 667-0172
Port of Spain - Wrightson Road (868) 625-1031
Princes Town - LP 235 Iere Village (868) 655-8871
Point Fortin - 62-64 Main Road, Point Fortin (868) 648-2865
St James - Upstairs Post Office, Western Main Road (868) 628- 2004

2. Print out the Appointment \ Booking forms - I do not understand why this is needed but officers have been asking people if they printed it. The same information can be given from a phone screen but the MOWT thinks printing a form as proof of you appointment makes sense. Sometimes all you are asked is your name and you will accepted.

If possible- also print and fill out the relevant application from from http://www.mowt.gov.tt/Divisions/Transport-Division/Forms 

*** Proof of address is now required. See this link http://www.mowt.gov.tt/Divisions/Transport-Division/Notices/Mandatory-Requirements-Proof-of-Address 

3. Go to the office where you have your appointment. Take your printed forms with you. There are still long lines with the appointment system since multiple people are given the same appointment time. It is a good idea to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you did not print them you can fill out the application renewal forms available at the office. Walk with an umbrella if it is raining as you may be put outside due to crowding in these small offices.

Go to the first counter to submit the form and confirm if you will be renewing for 5 years or 10 years. You surrender your old permit at this point to the clerk so you can take a picture of the back and front for personal records.


3. At a second counter, pay either $500ttd for 5 years or $1000ttd for 10 years renewal at the cashier for your light motor vehicle class. Given the sad state this process is in I would choose 10 years to avoid having to do this again for as long as possible. Other classes have different prices and may include a medical fee to have your blood pressure and eyes tested. There is no advantage of choosing one or the other except the time span. Walk with cash since many times no other form of payment is possible and there may not be an ATM close by. If I owned a bank I would install an ATM at each license office.

Currently since expired permits are still valid, you will not be charged these fees but they are here for your information. 

Extra fees for expired permits are not being charged since the expiry dates have been extended. The Transport Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to advise the general public of the fees required to renew expired driver’s permits :-
*Six (6) months or less is $500.00
*More than six (6) months and up to three (3) years $875.00
*More than three (3) years and up to five (5) years $1750.00
*More than five (5) years - The owner is expected to Re-do the Regulations and Driving Test
*Applicants who wish to renew expired permits and have attained the age of sixty (60) years and over, are exempted from renewal or penalty fines.


4. Wait to be called to have your picture taken and signature recorded. Someone looks at your written form and then types it into a PC so spelling errors are possible. Note the spelling of each word carefully to be sure it is correct. If anything is wrong it will be corrected and reprinted for free.

Tips:

-  I would avoid the Wrightson Road and San Fernando offices because they are usually very busy. Also call the office before you go to confirm they are operating properly.
- Go at an off peak time like after 9.00am. There is usually a line first thing in the morning. Also do not go too late because some cashiers close early at noon, 2.00pm, 3.00pm etc.
- You are expected to be properly dressed when going to the office. Decent short pants to your knees and slippers may be allowed but no vests, caps and tank tops, strap tops etc, basically your shoulders should be covered. Avoid excessive makeup.
- Walk with cash because that may be the only accepted method to pay since linx and credit card machines may be out of order and cheques are not accepted and there may not be an ATM close by.
- Call before going to the office to verify they are open and the cashier's closing hours. An office may be closed due to an HSE issue, no water or electricity or workers are sick etc.
Eg 1. http://www.looptt.com/content/caroni-licensing-office-closed-until-tomorrow
Eg 2. http://newsday.co.tt/2018/01/22/public-turned-away-at-caroni-licensing-office/
- Call the office you intend on visiting to ensure the service you are hoping for will be available there and on that day. Eg. vehicle inspections and ownership changes may only be done at San Fernando, Caroni, Tobago. 

- The entire renewal process actually takes 20 minutes assuming there is working equipment and no lines.

- Parking for some offices are non existent so ask your friends about the area if you have never been there before.

- Carry a pen to avoid getting the COVID virus.

-Permits can be renewed only within One (1) month before it expires, but note the next point --> 

-Permit holders who will be travelling abroad for six months or more can bring their travel documents to the Licensing Office to prove they will be out of the country and their permits can be renewed six months in advance.

- It is not possible to renew this while abroad. You must do this in person while in the country. 

- Most offices are NOT wheelchair accessible

- If washrooms are available they are very dirty and missing water and toilet paper.

- Public WIFI is NOT available.

- If you have any suggestions you will be told to forward them to the Caroni office but you will struggle to have the phone answered and then will be told they do not manage that part of the system. 

If you are between ages 60-65 you will only get a permit for the time until you get to age 65. After that you will have to renew every 2 years. 

You can now use Linx (debit) card to pay in a couple offices. There is a single and daily limit for Linx cards depending on the bank so you might have to call the office to see if their Linx machines are working and also make part payment on card and part in cash depending on your purchases. No credit cards (Visa \ Mastercard \ American Express etc.) are accepted.
 

Info from the ministry --------
https://www.facebook.com/244472435654492/photos/a.245507168884352.39763.244472435654492/1225158664252526/?type=3

Update March 2022

A new design of the license is being printed which has additional security features. Existing permits are still valid.

Update Oct 28 2021
The TTConnect site now contains information which I have provided links to above. The search on the TTConnect site itself is broken, so if you want to find anything use your favorite search engine eg. google.com and type TT. The TTConnect site is offline. 

Update Jan 18, 2020
Each time you renew your license it is a good idea to review the road rules. You can get some helpful information here.
https://www.ttregs.com/driving-requlations-booklets.php

MOWT site with info on demerit point system, inspection stations, fees and a lot more. https://drivingtt.com/


Update Feb 9 2018
The helpful booklet has been removed. Please let me know if you find a link for it.
- Check out the Ministry of Works and Transport Information booklet which has answers to questions you might have - http://www.mowt.gov.tt/documents/Transport%20Division%20-Licensing%20Authority%20Information%20Booklet.pdf

Also be aware of a points based system where you can have your license taken away if you accumulate sufficient penalties within a certain period.
http://www.mowt.gov.tt/general/subcategory.aspx?CategoryID=37&SubCategoryID=242

Update Jan 13 2017
A new permit design is currently being phased in which will be similar to the current design but also includes a barcode and plastic coating on the back.
http://www.cnc3.co.tt/news/new-drivers-permit
http://www.mowt.gov.tt/general/release.aspx?ReleaseID=105

Update Feb 13 2017
Caroni Facility is now open
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2017-02-12/minister-promises-clean-licensing
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2017-02-11/citizens-bemoan-licensing-offices

UpdateMarch 9 2017
Some permit numbers were issued multiple times
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170309/news/duplicate-drivers-permit-numbers-causing-problems

Update May 11 2017
This is the only mention of driver's permit on the government ttconnect site:

Update Dec 15 2017
You can now verify the validity and authenticity of any driver's permit using a government site- https://apps.mowt.gov.tt/dpv.
You can also check the owner of a vehicle according to the Ministry's information via this site- https://apps.mowt.gov.tt/vrv

What would be the most logical thing is for one person to have all the equipment for the whole process at one desk and for the customer to sit in one place and speak to one person for their renewal. This keeps the manual check of the person but also is most efficient from a service and customer aspect. Each site needs more equipment for just one clerk, one cashier, one photographer.  

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Topics:
How to renew your Trinidad and Tobago driver's permit
Process to get driving licence

Location of license offices
How long does it take to renew my driver's licence
What is cost of driver's permit in Trinidad and Tobago
Where do I go to renew my driving permit

Can I renew driver's permit while abroad