A Brief History
- At the time of publication, 60.4% of all cases filed at the Magistrates’ Courts were Traffic cases.
- Traffic cases filed over the 2018-2019 law term (September 2018 to June 2019) stood at 85,187 new cases, with over 19,000 of those cases (20.2% of all matters, and the largest share) filed at the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court.
- Under the law at that time, when a police officer or other designated authority issued a Fixed PenaltyTraffic Ticket, the Ticket indicated the fine for the offence, and that fine had to be paid at the courthouse within the district where the alleged offence occurred.
- In the event of default of payment, a date was given for the alleged offender to appear before the Traffic Court, again within the said district.
- As a result of the inconvenience to drivers, court lists were saturated with traffic cases due to unpaid tickets, and those cases continue to clog the system with backlog, due to non appearance of drivers at court.
- Additionally, this system meant that the Courts had the responsibility of collecting and processing traffic related payments on behalf of the state.
Legislative Amendment
- In 2017, the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Amendment) was enacted, and the Judiciary entered into a collaborative working relationship with a team comprising representatives of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, TTPost and other stakeholders, to implement a new traffic system.
- Under the new legislation, matters will only reach the court’s list when a motorist decides to contest a Ticket or charge, and files a Notice to Contest. This allows the Judiciary to concentrate on its core function, which is adjudicating where disputes arise.
Introduction of the UTurn Software
- The UTurn software provides real time connectivity among the Judiciary, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Licensing Authority, TTPost and the new Traffic Management Center.
- The interface allows a motorist to file a Notice to Contest on-line, upon answering three short questions.
- This triggers scheduling of the matter on the court’s list, and the motorist receives a court date and location, as well as a video conferencing link if it is required.
- Upon completion of a matter, the perfected court order will be dispatched from our court case management system via the UTurn interface, to the Traffic Enforcement Center.
Widespread Benefits
- Customers will no longer have to endure the inconvenience of possibly taking time off from work to go back to the district where the offence alleged occurred, as they can pay their fines at any TTPost location.
- They can also file their Notice to Contest from any location on-line.
- The court system benefits by only having to deal with matters where a genuine dispute arises.
- Evidence and all supporting documents are now securely transmitted through a secured link, between and among the respective agencies.
Useful Links
MVRT Act Chapter 48.50
MVRT Act No. 9 of 2017
Traffic Notices
Vehicle Testing Stations
MOWT Divisions & Units
The Ministry of Works and Transport is one of the largest government organizations in Trinidad and Tobago. We are responsible for providing the necessary planning, manpower, design and construction of physical infrastructure and transport services which are critical for the social and economic development of Trinidad & Tobago...CLICK HERE FOR MORE
MOWT Services
- Coastal Protection Unit
- Construction Division
- Drainage Division
- Environmental, Health and Safety Unit (EHSU)
- Highway Division
- Mechanical Division
- Maintenance Division
- Maritime Services Division
- Priority Bus Route Unit
- Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (PURE)
- The Traffic Management Branch (TMB)
- Traffic Warden Division
- Transport Division
- The Unemployment Relief Programme
- Central Planning Unit
Resources
Driving Permit Applications & Renewals
- Applying for a Provisional Driving Permit
- Renewing your Driving Permit
- Applicant Categories
- Renewal of Driver's Permits for Ten (10) years.
Replacement of Lost Permit
- Issuance or Replacement Driver's Permit (Duplicate)
- Applicable fees if you’re applying for a replacement of an expired driving permit
Maxi Taxi Regulations
- Applying for a Taxi-Driver's Badge & Taxi Driver's License
- Associated fees for applying for a Taxi Driving Permit
- Renewing of a Taxi Driver's Badge & Driving Permit
- Fees for Replacement of a Taxi Badge & Taxi Driving Permit
- Replacing your Taxi Driver's Badge & Driving Permit
- Ownership of Maxi Taxi Services
- Maxi Taxi Operator's Permit
Class 4 & 5 Applications (Heavy T)
The applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and the holder of a driving permit of the next lower class of motor vehicle.
Registration of Motor Vehicles
- Fees for Registration of a Motor Vehicle
- Registration of Foreign - Used vehicle
- Change of Registration of a Motor Vehicle
- Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Register Notification of Change of the following particulars
Transfer of Ownership
- Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle other than by Death
- Transfer of Ownership of Motor Vehicle on Death of Registered Owner
- Colour or Engine Number
- Chassis Number
- Name
Visitor Requirements
- Requirements for Visitors to drive in Trinidad &Tobago
Dealer Requirements
- Requirements for Dealer's License First Issue
- Renewal of Dealer's License
- Application for Replacement of a Dealer's License
- Application for Rental Operation
TRANSFORMATION OF LICENSING
RFID tags make the identification of legally licensed vehicles fast and reliable. Learn how they work.
DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM
If you commit an offence that carries demerit points, the points are added to your driving record. Learn more.
UTURN PORTAL
Spot speed cameras operate throughout T&T at carefully selected locations to prevent speed offences. Click for info.
TRAFFIC TICKETING SYSTEM
Enabling smart ticketing for enforcement of traffic violations. Learn how it works here....
RED LIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM
You will receive a ticket if your vehicle is caught on camera breaking a red light. Click to see penalties.
VEHICLE INSPECTION
To be licensed, all vehicles must meet standards set by law. Click here for info about the specifications for your vehicle.
Notice for Drivers
For More information on the Amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, please visit the Ministry’s website – www.mowt.gov.tt and click on MVRT Act Chapter 48 50 tab.
Remember, to avoid a traffic ticket and demerit points simply obey the road traffic laws. Do not act contrary to the law outlined in the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 48:50.
The Transport Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to advise all permit holders /motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in compliance with the TARE Weight and Maximum Gross TARE Weight in keeping with the law.