Applying for a driving licence or visitor driving permit; and exchanging your foreign licence.
To drive a vehicle on a public road in Barbados, you must have a valid domestic or foreign driving licence.
The fee to apply for a learner permit is $80. You must have a Regulation Examination pass certificate to apply for one.
You can apply for a learner driving permit online at bla.gov.bb.
Alternatively, you may visit the Barbados Revenue Authority at The Pine if you prefer to apply in person (cash only).
You may be able to use your Barbadian driving licence overseas for a temporary period, depending on the country you are visiting. See foreign travel advice.
The licence fee is $50 for 1 year, $125 for 3 years, or $200 for 5 years.
You can renew your driving licence online at bla.gov.bb. Alternatively, visit the Barbados Revenue Authority at The Pine if you prefer to renew your licence 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 paid online, you must collect your driving licence within 8 working days, but no sooner than 2 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.
Visitors can drive in Barbados on a foreign driving licence if they are in receipt of a Visitor Driving Permit. The licence fee is $10 for 2 months or $100 for 1 year.
If you are renting a vehicle with a car hire company, you can purchase a Visitor Driving Permit directly from the company when your vehicle rental is delivered. Alternatively, purchase a permit online with the Barbados Revenue Authority.
Remember to keep your foreign driving licence and Visitor Driving Permit with you at all times whilst driving.
Renting a vehicle? Please note the Vehicle Rental Levy will take effect from October 15th, 2025.
You must be a Barbadian citizen or a foreign national with permanent residency, immigrant status, reside and work status, a work permit [1], a student visa [1], a Welcome Stamp visa, a CARICOM Skilled National certificate, a Special Entry permit or Right of Establishment. If this applies to you, follow these steps:
[1] Work permit / student visa must be valid for six months or longer.
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.
Foreign nationals only need a Visitor Driving Permit if they wish to drive on public roads in Barbados using a valid foreign driving licence.
Fixed penalty notices need to be paid to the Clerk of the Magistrate's Court for the relevant district mentioned therein. If the penalty notice states District A, you need to visit the Accounts Section of the Supreme Court, located at Whitepark Road in Bridgetown. [1] When you arrive, follow signs for the Registration Offices.
[1] District 'A' Magistrates Court has been temporarily relocated to the Supreme Court Complex at Whitepark Road, as of April 24, 2021.