Good morning,
There’s a change I’m pleased to share with the public today: motorists will no longer need to obtain a medical certificate from a doctor simply to renew their driver’s licence. Commencing Monday, October 19th, applicants can go online to transportcontrol.gov.bm and submit a Personal Medical Declaration ahead of their licence renewal, confirming there is no condition affecting their eyesight, hearing, or other ability to drive safely.
This replaces the doctor’s certificate requirement for the great majority of renewals, reducing paperwork and cost for motorists, while the law continues to require a certificate for drivers aged 70 and over, for other classes of vehicle, and in any case where the Director has concerns about a declaration. Providing false or misleading information on that declaration remains an offence of $1,000, so the public can be confident that reducing paperwork does not mean reducing standards.
This change is one part of the Motor Car and Auxiliary Bicycles (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2026, legislation that reflects a practical and common-sense approach to improving services for the people of Bermuda while maintaining our commitment to safety on our roads.
As a Government, we have a responsibility to ensure that our laws and regulations keep pace with changing times. We must continually ask whether long-standing processes remain necessary, efficient and responsive to the needs of the public. Where improvements can be made without compromising safety or accountability, we should be prepared to make them. That is exactly what this legislation achieves.
The amendments are designed to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on motorists, modernise aspects of vehicle licensing, and recognise the advancements that have been made in vehicle safety and reliability over the years.
One of the key changes is the reduction in inspections required for new private motor cars during their first five years on the road. Today’s vehicles are built to exceptionally high standards, and the legislation acknowledges that reality by removing several early inspections, provided the vehicle remains consecutively licensed, while leaving the Transport Control Department’s broader inspection regime in place.
The Act also introduces greater flexibility in the licensing process for private motor cars, motorcycles and auxiliary bicycles. Where a motorist faces special circumstances . . . a vehicle awaiting repair parts, a pending sale, time away from Bermuda, or financial hardship . . . they will now be able to license their vehicle for a shorter period of just one, three or six months, rather than committing to a full year, or pay their licence duties in instalments. These changes are intended to make the process more convenient and more responsive to the circumstances of Bermuda’s motorists.
The legislation also updates inspection requirements for public service vehicles, moving from a six-monthly to an annual inspection schedule that reflects modern regulatory practice while continuing to prioritise the safety of passengers and operators alike.
At its heart, this legislation is about improving the customer experience: making government services more efficient, reducing unnecessary delays, and ensuring regulation is proportionate, practical and fit for purpose.
For many Bermudians, these changes may seem modest, but anyone who has navigated licensing requirements, inspection schedules or renewal procedures will appreciate the value of a system that is simpler and better aligned with today’s realities.
The Government remains committed to finding practical ways to improve public services and modernise our regulatory framework. The Motor Car and Auxiliary Bicycles (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2026 is another example of that commitment in action, delivering meaningful improvements while maintaining the standards that keep Bermuda safe.
Thank you.
