Informs of criteria change
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE growing demand for driving instructor licences has moved the Traffic Department to resume issuing same. However, the department has embarked on a sensitisation programme which would inform potential driving instructors of the requirements and procedure that have been put in place by the Licensing Authority.
Manager of the Traffic Department Inspector Cromwell Henry told this publication that prior to 2009, the only prerequisite for one to qualify as a driving instructor was that he/she would have had to have a driver’s licence for four years prior to the date of application for the instructor licence.
He explained that in 2009, however, the Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act No. 1 of 2009 was enacted and it is now required that in order for an individual to teach persons to drive he/she would have to be issued with a ‘Class I’ licence.
The amended law also enacted that in addition to being a driver for four years, applicants must meet the following criteria:
(1) They must not have been disqualified from driving within a four-year period leading up to the date of application for the ‘Class I’ license;
(2) They must not have been convicted - within the 12-month period just prior to the application date - of any of the offences of reckless driving or dangerous driving; and
(3) They must pass a theoretical examination of competence and fitness as prescribed by the Licensing Authority.
According to Inspector Henry, following the amendment of the law, the Traffic Department stopped issuing driving instructor licences. But owing to the “numerous requests from persons who wish to engage in that activity…we have now put in place the process for the issuing of the licence”.
Persons wishing to acquire a ‘Class I’ licence are advised that application forms are now available at the Traffic Department and these must be completed and returned at least one week prior to the examination date.
A notice issued by the Traffic Department earlier this month informed that the first examination date is Wednesday (May 16) to commence at 1:00 p.m. at the Police Training complex on St. Kitts and the Charlestown Police Station on Nevis.
And examinations will be held every third Wednesday in each month thereafter.
While the examination comprises only a theoretical component, Henry explained that it would be developed sometime in the future to include a practical component.
The Inspector told this publication that there are currently some 40 driving instructors on St. Kitts.
