GPF mulls change to applicant’s age for driver’s licence

ꟷ Traffic Dept reviewing strategies to improve policies countrywide

A review to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department is currently ongoing, with focus being placed on changing the legal age at which persons may apply for a driver’s licence.

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Linden Isles told Guyana Times that although a decision has not been made to alter the current age an individual should be before he/she can apply for a driver’s licence, it is being considered.
He stated that this did not necessarily mean that such a change would be implemented.
However, the Traffic Chief explained that if this idea were to bear fruit, then it would have to be carefully planned and executed, since there are different age requirements for various categories of licences.
Before one can obtain a new driver’s licence, a provisional driver’s licence has to be issued. This type of licence is only valid for a three-month period.
Presently, an individual must be 16 years of age or older before he/she can apply for a provisional motorcycle licence and 17 years or older for a provisional motorcycle and car licence.
An applicant needs to be 18 years of age or older for a car, van and motorcycle licence.
According to Isles, if a change were implemented in raising the age requirement, it would not be “across the board”.
In 2019, Guyana recorded more than 100 fatal accidents countrywide which claimed the lives of more than 120 persons. Most of the accidents reportedly occurred as a result of speeding, drinking, and driving, or a combination of both.
Meanwhile, a number of the accident victims who lost their lives were passengers travelling inside private vehicles, minibuses, and pedal cyclists.In light of the large number of deaths, the GPF set out to develop and implement changes in its Traffic Department which are expected to curb and prevent such large-scale carnage from recurring this year.