Senior Political Reporter
Demerit points for the majority of traffic violations in Trinidad and Tobago will soon be scrapped, but penalties will remain for six criminal driving offences, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Transport Minister Eli Zakour made the announcement following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, where Government approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (48:50) Ninth Schedule (Order 2025).
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Red House, Zakour said there are currently 99 violations under the Act, 69 of which carry demerit points—63 for non-criminal violations and six for criminal offences. The new order will remove demerit points from all but a few offences.
“I will be signing the Order shortly,” Zakour told reporters.
Once signed, the amended Schedule will delete demerit points for all but three violations—Items 6, 23, and 227—although Zakour did not specify which offences these items represent.
He confirmed, however, that the six criminal offences that currently carry demerit points will remain in force.
“These are driving while disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving permit, driving while under the influence of drugs, driving or being in charge of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding the limit, failure to provide a specimen of breath or blood, failing to submit to a breath analysis and careless driving,” said Zakour.
As for drivers who were previously charged or penalised based on accrued demerit points, Zakour said the Government is still deliberating on how to deal with those cases.
In addition, Zakour announced upcoming changes to Regulation 27 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations to expand the scope of the vehicle inspection framework.
He said the changes are expected to immediately reduce the Licensing Division’s annual inspection load by nearly 50,000 vehicles.
Currently, private vehicles over five years old must be inspected at authorised testing stations, then re-inspected every two years thereafter. Vehicles over three tonnes and commercial vehicles—including those with “THR” registrations—must be inspected annually at the Licensing Division’s Caroni compound.
The new amendments will allow licenced vehicle testing stations to inspect public hire vehicles such as taxis, hired cars, and others licensed for hire. Additionally, VMCOTT examiners will be authorised to inspect all taxis, regardless of weight, and all goods vehicles over 3,200 kilogrammes.
Zakour said discussions are still ongoing regarding how to regulate “PH” (private for hire) taxis under the new framework.