Driving licences

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.