Driving in Trinidad & Tobago on a Foreign Licence (IDP & Visitor Guide)

Driving in Trinidad & Tobago on a Foreign Licence (IDP & Visitor Guide)

Planning to drive in Trinidad & Tobago as a visitor or returning national? The law lets you use a valid foreign permit for a limited window before you need a local one. This guide explains how long you can drive on a foreign licence, when an International Driving Permit (IDP) helps, and what happens once the exemption ends, based on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chap. 48:50 (sections 55 and 56A).

Key takeaways

• A valid foreign permit from a country the Minister has listed (by Gazette Notice) is honoured for three months from your date of arrival.
• A valid International Driving Permit (IDP) is accepted for as long as it stays valid.
• You may only drive the class of vehicle your foreign permit authorises.
• After the exemption ends, you need a Trinidad & Tobago permit, which means passing the regulations exam and the driving test.
• T&T drives on the left; roundabouts go clockwise; the drink-drive limit is 0.08%.

Can I drive in Trinidad & Tobago on my foreign licence?

Yes, within limits. Under section 56A of the Act, if you hold a valid driving permit issued in a country the Minister has specified by Gazette Notice, you are exempt from needing a local permit for three months from the date of your arrival. That exemption covers only the class of vehicle your permit authorises. If your country is not on the Minister's list, the exemption does not apply, so check with the Licensing Division before you drive.

How long can a visitor drive on a foreign permit?

The statutory window is three months from the date of arrival. During that period, a valid foreign permit from a Gazette-listed country lets you drive without a Trinidad & Tobago permit. Once those three months pass, the exemption lapses and a local permit becomes mandatory, whatever the reason for your stay. There is no separate "six-month" rule in the Act, so treat the three-month figure as the one that matters legally.

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An IDP is not always required, but it removes doubt. Under section 55, a valid International Driving Permit issued under an international convention is accepted in Trinidad & Tobago for as long as it remains valid. It also translates your entitlement into a standard format that officers and rental companies recognise. If your home permit is not in English, or your country is not clearly Gazette-listed, carry an IDP alongside your national licence.

What happens when the three-month exemption ends?

Once the exemption expires, you must hold a Trinidad & Tobago driving permit to keep driving legally. Getting one means going through the local process: passing the computerised regulations exam and then the driving test, administered by the Licensing Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport. For the full step-by-step process, see our pillar guide on how to get a driver's permit in Trinidad & Tobago. You can also practise the regulations test free before you book.

Driving orientation for visitors

A few basics help you settle in quickly. Trinidad & Tobago drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles, so you overtake on the right only when it is safe. At a roundabout, traffic proceeds clockwise, and you give way to vehicles already circulating.

• Speed limits (private car): 80 km/h on the open road, 50 km/h in built-up areas, unless a posted sign shows otherwise.
• Drink-driving: the prescribed limit is 0.08% (35 µg per 100 ml of breath).
• Seatbelts: wear them; local traffic enforcement applies to visitors too.

For a fuller briefing, read the Trinidad & Tobago road rules guide and the road signs guide before you set off.

Official sources

• Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chap. 48:50 (foreign permits s.56A, IDPs s.55, driving side, speed, drink-driving)
• ttconnect — Driver's Permits/Licences (government service portal)
• MOWT — Driving Permits (Transport Division)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Trinidad on my foreign licence?

Yes, if your permit is valid and issued in a country the Minister has listed by Gazette Notice. You are exempt from holding a local permit for three months from your date of arrival, for the class of vehicle your permit covers.

How long can a tourist drive in Trinidad and Tobago?

A valid foreign permit from a listed country is honoured for three months from your date of arrival. A valid International Driving Permit is accepted for as long as it remains valid. After that, a Trinidad & Tobago permit is required.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Not always, but an IDP is recommended. Under section 55 of the Act, a valid IDP is accepted for the length of its validity. It is especially useful if your national licence is not in English or your country is not clearly Gazette-listed.

Is there a six-month residency rule for driving in Trinidad and Tobago?

No. The Act sets a three-month exemption for a valid foreign permit, not a six-month residency threshold. Once the three months lapse, a local Trinidad & Tobago permit is required, whatever your residency status. Confirm your position with the Licensing Division.

What do I need to do to get a local permit?

You must pass the computerised regulations exam and then the driving test, administered by the Licensing Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport. See our pillar guide for the full process, and practise the regulations test free first.

Which side of the road does Trinidad & Tobago drive on?

Trinidad & Tobago drives on the left, with right-hand-drive vehicles. Roundabouts are taken clockwise, giving way to traffic already circulating. Overtake on the right only when it is safe and legal to do so.