Moves will be made to digitise and closely monitor driver testing at Licensing Offices.
This was revealed by Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke, who said he believes that outdated procedures have allowed poorly trained drivers onto the nation’s roads.
Speaking during a Joint Select Committee exploring the ‘Efficiency of the Traffic Management System in T&T’, he admitted that the licensing system has remained largely unchanged for decades, including the drivers’ regulation written exam.
“I recognised the same exam I wrote, I don’t want to say umpteen, a number of years ago it was the same exam the current students sitting was writing using the same pencil, pen, et cetera, and the same method. We have since changed that so that we can, and by that I mean we have changed the content to bring in some defensive driving and so forth into the exam. We have changed the method to allow some transparency, making sure they write with pen, making sure we have cameras in the room to make sure you are present. So it’s almost impossible now to get a licence coming out from licensing and say that someone gets that permit from the licensing division. The system doesn’t allow for that.”
To address this, he said moves are being made toward digitally administered tests, and tracking driving tests to reduce or wipe out interference at Licensing Offices.
“We are looking to bring systems whereby persons can use a digital way of writing that regulation exam and getting that result at the same point in time. We look at the fact that the dexterity test, persons have complained about where the officer is exercising proper discretion. We have put cameras to monitor 95%, in terms of the exam itself, whereby we could go and replay what has taken place, so we do have concern in changing that. And moreso I’m looking forward towards the aspect of where we can even track the driving tests on the nation’s roads because we have had situations where persons go just a couple of metres and get their driving permit.”
The Transport Commissioner also cautioned that while “Baby on Board” signs and similar markings are not illegal, the key concern remains visibility and overall road safety.
He explained that the law allows for discretion, particularly in cases involving large or dense markings—such as oversized religious texts, graphics, or panels that cover significant portions of vehicle windows—which may obstruct a driver’s view.
According to the Commissioner, these situations can still be addressed under existing tint legislation.
“When we look at it very carefully, the law doesn’t prohibit someone from doing so. What it points out is really that that marking, we have to be able to explore whether it impacts the visibility and safety, and it’s here where we exercise a level of discretion in terms of that. So I wouldn’t say it is illegal, right? Because again, the way the legislation is written, such markings, we must be able to exercise that discretion as to whether it will impact the visibility. For example, you have persons who will want to put some large, you know, entire scripture in the back of their window or some other markings, and those are the ones we have some challenge with.”