There were long lines at the Licensing Offices in Caroni and Port of Spain yesterday as people with driving permits that had expired rushed to have it renewed to avoid paying a stiffer penalty.

On Friday, Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke issued an internal memo to staff reminding them of the amendments to Section 61A (1), (2), (3), the First Schedule, and Regulation 20 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 48:50, which now carries an fee for the late renewal of driver’s permits in addition to the requisite fee for the permit.

Based on the amendments, if a five-year driver’s permit has expired for a period of less than six months, the fee for permit remains at $500, however, a late fee of $650 is now attached, bringing the total cost to $1,150.