Statement on the issuance of Heavy-Duty, Public Service Vehicle & Motor Tractor Permits & Driver Licences to persons under the age of 25.
The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has suspended the issuance of heavy-duty, public service vehicle and motor tractor permits and driver licences to persons under the age of 25, to allow for legislative changes to be drafted to Section 69 (1) of the Road Traffic Amendments 2017-26.
It was recently drawn to the attention of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources (MTWW), that an amendment made to Section 69 (1) in 2017 was never enforced by the BLA. This amendment prohibits issuing and endorsing as valid these categories of licences to individuals under the age of 25.
The BLA immediately sought to address the situation by suspending the issuance of permits for these categories of licences to persons under the age limit and by deferring the sitting of the corresponding test for permit holders. Licence holders under the age of 25 who were already issued with any of these categories of licences since the 2017 amendment will not be affected.
MTWW is mindful of the impact which the suspension is having on affected persons and, as a result, the Ministry is seeking to urgently resolve the matter. MTWW and BLA officials have been meeting with stakeholders from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Barbados Vocational Training Board, the Barbados Driving School Association, and the Barbados Police Service.
The Barbados Revenue Authority has also been informed of the matter via official correspondence. MTWW will continue to keep the public informed about this matter.