Barbados Licensing Authority Begins Renewal Process for Driving Licences of Drivers Over 70, Implementation of System Still Undergoing Testing
January 10, 2024
The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has begun renewing driving licenses for individuals over 70 years old. The system is still undergoing testing, but renewals can be done online or in-person at Barbados Revenue Authority branches. Senior drivers aged 75 to 84 can now renew their licenses every two years.
The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) says the process of renewing driving licences for people over the age of 70 has started, but full implementation of its system to accommodate that is still undergoing testing.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, five days after President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) Marilyn Rice-Bowen told Barbados TODAY that members were not yet able to benefit from the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2023 which increased the age at which senior drivers need a medical certificate for licence renewal, from 70 to 75, that renewals were being done.
Acting Chief Licensing Officer Treca McCarthy-Broomes said the BLA is facilitating them both online and in-person, but noted that full implementation of its system to accommodate this is still undergoing testing.
“Senior drivers who wish to pay for their renewals online will only be able to pay for one year presently with EZPay.gov.bb. Otherwise, they are encouraged to visit any branch of the Barbados Revenue Authority to pay in person,” she advised. “Once payment is completed whether in-person or online, individuals should visit the Driving Licence Plastic Card Section of the Barbados Licensing Authority in the Pine, St Michael, or Holetown, St James to collect their updated driving licence card.”
According to the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2023, senior drivers from the age of 75 to 84 years old, can now renew their driving licence every two years from the issued date.
“Previously, individuals aged 70 or older holding a driving licence were required to produce an annual medical certificate to renew their licence,” explained McCarthy-Broomes. “Now, there is no need for senior drivers in the age group 70 to 74 years old to submit a medical certificate. However, citizens aged 75 to 84 years are required to submit a medical certificate every two years on the renewal of their driving licence. Once citizens reach the age of 85 years, they are required to submit a medical certificate every year on the renewal of their driving licence, up to the age of 87”.
(PR/BT)
