The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has officially refuted circulating social media allegations suggesting that drivers under age 25 face substantial penalties for lacking defensive driving certification. In an official statement dated January 14, the ministry clarified that no such regulatory framework exists within Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system.
Contrary to viral online misinformation, the ministry emphasized that neither the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act nor any subsidiary legislation contains provisions mandating defensive driving courses as a prerequisite for insurance acquisition or retention for young motorists. The purported $10,000 penalty for non-compliance was categorically dismissed as baseless speculation without legal foundation.
Authorities have issued renewed calls for public vigilance against digital misinformation, urging citizens to consult exclusively official government communication channels for verified information regarding transportation policies and regulatory requirements. This incident highlights ongoing challenges governments face in combating the rapid spread of unverified claims through social media platforms, particularly those involving financial penalties that could cause unnecessary public concern.