Since the introduction of the Demerit Points System in May 2020, the Ministry of Works and Transport has been consistently monitoring the operation of the System and its impact on changing drivers’ behaviour and attitude toward road traffic laws and road safety. Accordingly, the Ministry undertook a review and implemented changes to the Demerit Points System. This review took into consideration the concerns of stakeholders and the general public, as it related to the number of demerit points applicable for several minor traffic violations.
As such, members of the public are advised of the amendments to the Ninth Schedule of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2017, which removed the number of demerit points for several minor traffic violations and altered the number of demerit points for others. These changes take effect on Tuesday March 01, 2022.
The following table provides an overview of the revised listing of demerit points for the associated traffic violations:
| Description of Traffic Violation or Offence |
Previous Demerit Points |
Current Demerit Points |
|
No identification lights for the illumination of identification marks on vehicle at night
|
2 |
0 |
|
Failure to produce a vehicle for inspection/Driving a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker and certificate
|
9 |
6 |
|
Vehicle with defective fittings
|
2 |
0 |
|
Vehicle without two head lamps
|
2 |
0 |
|
Vehicle without park lights
|
3 |
0 |
|
Vehicle without tail lights
|
3 |
0 |
|
Vehicle without reflecting mirror
|
2 |
0 |
|
Use of vehicle with no windshield wiper or defective wiper
|
2 |
0 |
Parking in a public stand appointed for taxi
|
0 |
3 |
Members of the public are reminded that the fixed penalties payable for the above-mentioned traffic violations remain unchanged as part of the Fixed Penalty Traffic Ticketing System.
Persons are invited to visit www.mowt.gov.tt or www.drivingtt.com to learn more about these recent changes as well as the key features of both the Demerit Points and Fixed Penalty Traffic Ticketing Systems. The Ministry of Works and Transport looks forward to the continued cooperation of the general public as we continue to monitor and implement measures to create safer roads for all citizens.
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