Road Traffic Regulations Update: New Fines and Penalties Effective 1 January

From 1 January, updated Road Traffic Regulations come into force across
Trinidad and Tobago, introducing significant increases in traffic fines and penalties.
The amendments were published in December via Legal Notice No. 471 of 2025 and form part of a broader
national effort to improve road safety, compliance, and enforcement outcomes.

This article outlines what has changed, highlights the most impactful increases, and explains what
drivers, operators, and visitors need to do now to remain compliant.

Why the Regulations Were Updated

The revised penalties are designed to shift driver behaviour, strengthen deterrence, and reduce
avoidable road risks. Enforcement agencies now have materially higher fines at their disposal,
particularly for speeding, insurance violations, and public service vehicle offences.

For motorists, the message is clear. Routine non-compliance now carries a much higher financial and
legal cost.

Key Fine Increases You Should Know

Standard Offences: TT$750 to TT$1,500

Several common offences have doubled in cost, including:

• Failure to carry a driving permit
• Improper parking, including at public buildings and taxi stands
• Loud exhaust systems
• Defective tyres or steering
• Missing identification plates
• Motorcyclists riding without hands or holding another vehicle

These offences, previously treated as minor, now attract penalties that can escalate quickly if repeated.

Major Compliance Breaches: TT$1,000 to TT$2,000

A wide range of safety and operational violations now attract fines of TT$2,000, including:

• Drivers or passengers not wearing seat belts
• Children not secured in approved child restraints
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Supervising a provisional driver while using a phone
• Driving a vehicle in defective condition
• No valid inspection sticker or failure to present a vehicle for inspection
• Improper overtaking, U-turns, and obstruction offences

These increases reinforce the importance of everyday driving discipline and vehicle readiness.

Speeding Penalties Increased Significantly

Speeding fines now scale more aggressively based on how far over the limit a driver is travelling:

• 1–9 km/h over the limit: TT$2,000
• 10–20 km/h over the limit: TT$3,000
• 21–30 km/h over the limit: TT$4,000
• 31 km/h or more over the limit: TT$6,000

Even marginal speeding can now result in a substantial financial penalty.

PBR and Instructional Offences: TT$2,000 to TT$4,000

• Unauthorised use of the Priority Bus Route
• Driving instructor regulatory breaches

These increases target regulated road usage and professional driving standards.

Major Insurance Change

The most significant adjustment applies to motor insurance compliance:

No valid motor insurance: TT$1,000 increased to TT$10,000

This tenfold increase positions insurance coverage as a non-negotiable legal requirement.

What Drivers and Operators Should Do Now

Motorists, taxi drivers, maxi-taxi operators, and fleet managers should take immediate action to
reduce risk and avoid penalties:

• Confirm that insurance, inspection, and licensing are valid and current
• Address vehicle defects, lighting issues, and emissions concerns promptly
• Reinforce seat belt and child restraint use
• Review driving habits, particularly speeding and mobile phone use

These steps are now essential compliance measures rather than optional best practice.

How TriniGo Helps

TriniGo’s Public Info category translates regulatory updates into practical guidance that supports
safer roads and informed decision-making. Where relevant, users can also connect to inspection
stations, insurance providers, and transport-related services across the platform.

For official reference, the full schedule of revised fines is outlined in Legal Notice No. 471 of 2025,
effective 1 January.