Driving licences

Applying for a driving licence or visitor driving permit; and exchanging your foreign licence.

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To drive a vehicle on a public road in Barbados, you must have a valid domestic or foreign driving licence.

Using a foreign driving licence

If you have a foreign licence, you cannot use it to drive in Barbados without a valid Visitor Registration Certificate, commonly known as a Visitor Driving Permit, at a fee of BDS $10 for two months or BDS $100 for one year.

Persons hiring a car with a rental company can purchase a Visitor Driving Permit from their rental company when receiving their hire vehicle.

Alternatively, a Visitor Driving Permit can be purchased directly from the Barbados Revenue Authority online.

Persons must keep their driving licence, Visitor Driving Permit (if applicable) and insurance documentation on their person at all times whilst driving.

Renewing a Barbadian driving licence

The licence fee is BDS $50 for 1 year, BDS $125 for 3 years, or BDS $200 for 5 years

You can pay for the renewal of your driving licence online via EZPay+, the official payment gateway of the Barbados Government. Alternatively, visit the Barbados Revenue Authority at The Pine if you prefer to pay in person (cash only).

Once you've paid for the renewal of your licence, visit the Barbados Licensing Authority at The Pine with an electronic or printed copy of your payment receipt to collect your driving licence.

If you pay online via EZPay+, you must collect your driving licence within 8 working days, but no sooner than two working days after payment.

There are separate queues for driving licence applications, payments and collections. Don't hesitate to ask someone if you are not sure which queue you need to be in.

You are usually able to have your existing photo re-used; but if you want your photo to be re-taken, let the receptionist know when you are called forward.

Exchanging your foreign licence for a domestic licence

You must be a Barbadian citizen or a foreign national with permanent residency, immigrant status, a work permit [1], a student visa [1], a Welcome Stamp visa, a CARICOM Skilled National certificate, a Special Entry permit or Rights of Establishment. If this applies to you, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: If you do not have a Barbados ID card (known locally as Trident ID), you will need to apply for one before you can apply for a driving licence exchange. If this applies to you, learn how to apply for a Trident ID.
  • Step 2: Once you have a Barbados ID, apply for a licence exchange by visiting the Barbados Licensing Authority at The Pine. There are separate queues for driving licence applications and collections. Don't hesitate to ask someone if you are not sure which queue you need to be in.
  • Step 3: Pay the licence fee to the Barbados Revenue Authority, also located at The Pine (they also have an office at Warrens Tower II, in the same building as the Electoral and Boundaries Commission). Payments must be in Barbados Dollars; cash only. The licence fee is BDS $50 for 1 year, BDS $125 for 3 years, or BDS $200 for 5 years.
  • Step 4: Visit the Barbados Licensing Authority at The Pine with your payment receipt to get your photo taken. Your driving licence is usually produced on the spot, but you may need to return a few days later.

[1] Work permit / student visa must be valid for six months or longer.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to apply for, or renew, a Barbados Driving Licence online?

It is not currently possible to apply for a new driving licence online.

However, if you have a Barbados ID card and your driving licence expired less than three years ago, you can renew your driving licence at ezpay.gov.bb. Once payment has been submitted via EZpay, you must visit the Barbados Licensing Authority at The Pine no earlier than two business days (but no later than eight business days) after payment, with a physical or electronic copy of your receipt, to get your plastic card replaced.

Will I need a Visitor Driving Permit if I have a Barbados Driving Licence?

Foreign nationals only need a Visitor Driving Permit if they wish to drive on public roads in Barbados using a valid foreign driving licence.

Will I be able to get a Visitor Driving Permit if my foreign licence is expiring, or has expired?

If your foreign driving licence has expired, you will need to get your foreign driving licence renewed before you can apply for a Visitor Driving Permit.

However, if your foreign driving licence is expiring (but has not yet expired), the validity period of your Visitor Driving Permit will be limited to the amount of time remaining on your foreign driving licence, or the maximum period allowed for the licence fee paid, whichever is sooner.