Driving Licences

If you are caught either driving or sitting in the drivers seat of a car, and you are over the legal limit, you will be fined CI$1,000 or imprisoned for six months and you will lose your driving licence for a year. Having a DUI conviction can also affect your ability to obtain a work permit in the Cayman Islands.

Cell Phones, Texting & Driving A CI$150 fine is automatically issued to anyone seen driving while talking on a mobile phone unless it is handsfree or mounted. In section 78 of the Traffic Act (2011) it states: “in order to use your cellular device while driving it must be “hands free” with no more than one action of pressing a button to accept and end a call.” You are also able to legally use your phone while driving if you are calling 911 to report an emergency and it is impractical to pull over your vehicle. DRIVING LICENCES Theory & Driving Tests for NonLicence Holders For those who don’t have a full driving licence, the path is fairly routine, but the process is quite slow. First, you have to apply at one of the Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) offices for an appointment for a theory test of driving knowledge. You have 40 minutes to answer 40 multiple choice questions (on a touch screen computer) of which you must get 80% correct. The test costs CI$25 and if there is space available you can take the test at the time of booking. Take your passport on all visits to the DVDL test centre for proof of identification. In the Cayman Islands you have to be 17 years old and a day to be qualified to apply for a licence.

To learn all you need to know to pass the written test, the DVDL recommends that you review their official Road Code booklet which can be found on their website, as well as parts of the Traffic Act 2011 and all of the Traffic Regulations 2012. Their website, www.dvdl.gov. ky, has a wealth of information on it, including links to all the traffic laws. Alternatively, there is a very detailed and well informed driving instruction book called ‘Drive Safely in Cayman’ by Graham Walker, who started teaching driving in Cayman in 1992. He has retired from teaching on the road but still updates his book every other year. It costs CI$20 at local booksellers.

Having passed the theory test, you can then obtain a learner’s licence for CI$60, which is valid for six months, and allows you to drive whilst accompanied by someone with a full Cayman licence (who has been qualified for two years). An ‘L’ plate must be visible on the front and back of the vehicle. Also make sure that your car insurance policy covers a learner driver; most will require that the learner is put on the insurance.

Four weeks after obtaining the

provisional licence, the practical road test can be taken for a fee of CI$50. Note that it cannot be taken earlier than the four weeks or later than six months after obtaining the provisional licence. You can book an appointment for the practical road test in advance after passing the written test. After successfully passing the practical test, a full, unrestricted licence will be given.

Note that there is no difference in a driving licence for automatic or standard shift (manual) cars. You can take your test in either type of car and then drive whatever you like. A full driver’s licence will be issued when both exams are passed. For Groups 0-3 there will be a fee of CI$75 for three years or $125 for five years. For group 4+ it is $120 for three years, $200 for five years or $400 for ten years.

Driving Instructors Brand new drivers to Cayman’s roads should organise driving lessons with the following instructors who have been approved by the Department of Vehicle & Driver’s Licensing: The Real Thing

Driving School - Burmon Scott Tel: (345) 927 1698. His wife, Cherry Marie Scott, gives a 2-hour theory lesson and pre-test on the driving rules, Tel: (345) 928 8284.

Martin’s School of Motoring Tel: (345) 923 7218. Clifton Dennis Tel: (345) 927 4911. For lessons in riding a motor bike, call

CIMRA Motor Cycle Riders - Keith Keller Tel: (345) 945 7433.

Converting an Existing Licence According to the Traffic (Amendment) Act (2018) if you have a full, valid domestic driving licence from a Convention country – a country within either the Geneva, Vienna or Paris Convention on Road Traffic Agreement (see www.dvdl. gov.ky for a full list of applicable countries) – you may drive on it for a period not exceeding six months. You must then take (and pass) the written theory test before your licence can be converted to a Cayman driver’s licence. However, if you fail to complete this transfer during those six months, then you will have to take both tests (theory and practical) in order to get a local driver’s licence. This basically means that people from all the major European countries, most major English speaking countries (including Canada, the USA and South Africa), and a handful of Caribbean countries, are entitled to obtain a Cayman driving licence after they have passed the written theory test. You then have the option of getting a driver’s licence that is valid for three, five, or ten years.

If you currently have a learner’s permit or are enroled in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program from another country, then you will have to schedule to take both the written theory and practical road tests in Cayman.

If you have an International Driving permit, you can legally drive on it for as long as it is valid. However, you cannot convert an International Driving permit to a Cayman driver’s licence.

If you have a full, valid driving licence from a country that is not a Convention country, then under section 29 of Traffic Act (2021 Revision) you are allowed to drive for six months, provided that you drive a motor car, a truck not exceeding 8,500lbs, or a motorcycle under 125cc. After one month you are required to pass both the written theory and practical road tests. However, you do not need to hold a learner’s licence in order to sit the practical road test as you already have driving experience.

If you are caught driving without a valid licence, then there is an automatic CI$4,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 12 months. See below for a full recap:

If you are a legal resident, then you can drive on Cayman’s roads if you:

> Have an International Driver’s permit. As long as it is valid, you are exempted from the requirement to hold a Cayman driver’s licence and can, therefore, drive legally on it. > Have a full, valid domestic driver’s licence from a convention country. You will be able

to drive in Cayman for up to six months before having to pass the written theory test to be issued with a Cayman driver’s licence. If you wait longer than six months, you will also have to pass the practical road test. > Have a full, valid domestic driver’s licence not from Convention country. You can drive for one month in Cayman, but only a motor car, a truck not exceeding 8,500lbs, or a motorcycle under 125cc. To legally drive thereafter, you must obtain a Cayman driving licence by passing both the written theory and the practical road tests. > Have a full Cayman driving licence. Cayman driving licences are only valid for either three, five or 10 years. You will need to get your licence renewed promptly or you are effectively driving without a licence and therefore driving illegally. If caught driving without a valid licence, you will be suspended for a year. You must have your driving licence and a copy of your car insurance with you at all times when driving. Brand new drivers licences can be obtained for three or five years and cost between CI$75 and CI$200, depending on the category of vehicle. For those needing their Cayman licence renewed the cost is CI$75 for three years or CI$125 for five years for Groups 0-3 or CI$120 for three years or CI$200 for five years for Groups 4.

If you are a visitor (i.e. not a resident and you don’t have a work permit):

> You can drive in Cayman provided you have a valid driver’s licence and insurance

coverage. > Visitors who have a full, valid driver’s licence from a convention country can drive for six months in Cayman. > Visitors who have a full, valid driver’s licence not from a convention country can drive for one month in Cayman provided that they only drive a motor car, a truck not exceeding 8,500lbs, or a motorcycle under 125cc. (Section 29A Traffic Act 2021) It should also be noted that if you lend your car or truck to a visitor, you must ensure they have a valid driving licence,

otherwise they will be deemed to be driving illegally and this could invalidate your insurance.

Having said all of this, you need to be very clear on what your insurance company requires before covering you. Some policies have very strict age limitations; some will not insure people until they are nearer the age of 21, 23 or even 25 years of age. Additionally, most insurance companies will not insure new drivers to drive an SUV until they have had a licence for one year.

Obtaining a Driving Record A driving record can be obtained from the DVDL which outlines the driver’s licence history in Cayman. The document costs CI$75 and takes approximately three working days to be processed. Obtain this before leaving the Island if you are intending to drive overseas in places such as Canada where you will not be issued, or reissued, a Canadian driver’s licence without it.

DVDL Offices The Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) is authorised to inspect and test vehicles, register motor vehicles and maintain the register, issue licences in respect of motor vehicles and drivers, and conduct driving tests.

The Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ driving Licensing (DVDL) has three locations in Grand Cayman: > 990 Crewe Road, Red Bay, Tel: (345) 945 8344, Email: dvdl.helpdesk@gov.ky or Web: www.dvdl.gov.ky. Open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4pm > 9 Reverend Blackman Road, West Bay (Across from the West Bay Police Station)

Tel: (345) 949 7231, Email: dvdl.helpdesk@ gov.ky or Web: www.dvdl.gov.ky. Open:

Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-4pm > Breakers, Frank Sound (across Sea View

Road from the South Coast Bar and Grill)

Tel: (345) 244 5528, Email: dvdl.helpdesk@ gov.ky or Web: www.dvdl.gov.ky. Open:

Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday

9am-4pm The Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman: > Cayman Brac District Administration

Building. Tel: (345) 948 2222. Open:

Monday-Friday 8.30am-4pm > Little Cayman District Administration

Building, Tel: (345) 948 1051. Open: Every other Thursday 9am-2.30pm

LICENSING YOUR VEHICLE Your vehicle will need to be inspected and licensed by the DVDL. Avoid doing this on rainy days, as they will not inspect the cars if it is raining, or at the beginning and end of the month as they get very busy. You can have your car inspected and its registration renewed for up to 30 days before the expiry date. You can also renew your vehicle and driving licence online, just follow the tab on the DVDL website. No more waiting in line! You will still have to get your car inspected, but that process is usually quite quick and once they confirm your car has passed, the information will be recorded in their computer system.

The law does not require you to have a Cayman licence to register a car in your name, but if you are registering it in the name of a company, you must have a certificate of good standing from the Registrar of Companies, located on the ground floor of the Government Administration Building. The minimum cost for one year’s inspection and licensing for a regular four-seater car or SUV up to 2500cc is CI$215 (CI$180 registration, CI$35 inspection). Any vehicle that exceeds 2500cc costs CI$235. A Hummer costs between CI$535 and CI$1,035 per year. A truck up to 8500 lbs costs $400 per year ($40 for inspection). Disabled vehicles have no annual licensing fee unless you own two, in which case you must pay standard fees for the second vehicle. Scooters, trucks and taxis have different prices for both inspection and licensing. Vehicle inspections are offered at the Crewe Road and Breakers locations, but not at the West Bay location. You can also have your vehicle inspected at various automotive repair shops and many people will combine an annual car service with the car inspection process. You can find a list of approved private garages on the DVDL website. The garage will issue you with a Certificate of Roadworthiness, which you then take to the Vehicle & Licensing Department when you go to renew the licence on your car.

Depending on the age of the vehicle, it can be inspected and licensed for one, three or five years. For five years, the vehicle must be brand new and not previously licensed in any country. Vehicles licensed for three years must not be older than ten years from the date of manufacture. The purchase of licence plates is CI$75 per set. Personalised plates can also be purchased for CI$400 per set (replacements cost CI$30). With the new electronic licence plates, you are required to place the coupon at the top centre of the windshield, directly below the rear-view mirror. This makes it easily accessible for scanning by law enforcement. However, if you still have old plates, place the coupon within six inches of the edge on the left side or driver side, with the time period facing outside of the car.

Disabled Parking Badge To obtain a disabled parking badge, you can collect a form from the DVDL or download a PDF version from the DVDL website and have a licensed physician fill out the relevant portions, stating whether it needs to be temporary or permanent. Your application will then be reviewed and if approved, you can purchase a tag for $5 or you can choose to pay a fee of CI$75 for a licence plate. Visitors may use their international disabled parking badge for the duration of the trip to legally park in the designated spots.

MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER LICENCES There are three groups of motorcycle licences: Group 0 (mopeds/ motor scooters), Group 1 (up to 125cc) and Group 1A (over 125cc). You must be at least 19 years of age to drive a motorcycle with an engine over 125cc.

If you have a bike licence from abroad that explicitly states that you are entitled to ride a bike over 125cc, then it may be possible to obtain a Full Group 1A licence by taking a theory test and paying a CI$75 fee. However, this largely depends on which country your licence has been issued from and is not guaranteed. If you already have a Group 2, 3 or 4 Cayman driver’s licence, then you can easily obtain a Learner’s Group 1 bike licence without having to take a written test. Having obtained it, you should book a practical road test. With a Provisional Group 1 licence, you are only allowed to carry a passenger who is the holder of a Full Group 1 licence.

If you don’t have a qualifying licence, then you need to pass both a written and practical test. Once you’ve obtained a Full Group 1 licence, you must wait one year before you can qualify for a Provisional Group 1A and after you have been tested again, you will be able to ride unlimited displacement motorbikes. However, if you are over the age of 19 and can prove you have a Group 1 licence, then you can skip the 12-month wait time. Cayman Custom Cycles (Tel: (345) 945 7433) offers this course, along with the Group 1 motorcycle training courses.

CAR INSURANCE You can transfer ownership of a car from one owner to another without car insurance, but you cannot license the vehicle without insurance. The average cost of third-party cover for a mid-sized car not exceeding 2.5 litres (2500 cc) is likely to be in the region of CI$450 to CI$650 per year, depending on whether it is a convertible or a sports car (which are more expensive). Comprehensive insurance on a nearly-new but second hand CI$16,000 car would be in the region of CI$850 per year (with a no claims discount factored in). Insurance on a new CI$32,000 BMW 3 series would cost over CI$1,000 per year (with all discounts factored in). If you bring a letter from your existing insurance company stating that you have had no claims in the last year or more, you may be eligible for a discount. Also, be aware that banks insist on comprehensive policies covering cars they are financing and some insurance companies will not sell comprehensive insurance on vehicles over ten years old. Insurance rates vary considerably, so shop around. CG BritCay

(SEE AD PAGE 147) and Island Heritage (SEE AD THIS PAGE AND PAGES 148 & 167) both advertise a broad spectrum of policies and benefits. For example, Island Heritage offers discounts for vehicles kept in enclosed garages overnight and secured with anti-theft devices. Note: third-party insurance is available on-Island, but it does not cover fire, theft or collision. It is a good idea

to ask if the comprehensive policy covers hurricane or flood damage (also known as ‘acts of God’) as some companies do not. Also check your policy, as many will automatically only cover drivers aged 25 to 65 who have had a licence for 12 months or more. Insurance rates for teenagers who have recently passed their driving test are extremely high as they are seen as inexperienced drivers. You may find it easier for someone under the age of 23 to find car insurance on a four-door second hand car than a highend sports car. If you are caught driving without insurance, the police take it very seriously and you will be subject to a fine of CI$2,000, imprisonment for 12 months, plus the loss of your licence for 12 months or more. If you lend your car to someone knowing that the car is not insured, then they, plus you, as the owner of the vehicle, will be fined and lose your licence for 12 months. The law requires that you must carry your car insurance documents in 199124_PRINT-IslandHeritage-Ad-RPage 1 8/13/21 2:52:11 PM

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