Bermuda – Driving Licenses

Can foreign nationals use their own licence in Bermuda?

Bermuda’s approach to foreign driving licences is more restrictive than many other jurisdictions. The situation is linked to Bermuda’s absence from the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which was aimed at standardising international road safety rules. Because Bermuda has not signed this treaty, foreign licences do not carry automatic legal recognition on the island for residents.

For anyone planning to drive a car, a foreign driving licence has no legal standing in Bermuda. If you are going to drive a car, you must hold a Bermuda licence. This is a firm requirement — not a grace period — for anyone resident on the island, regardless of how recently they arrived.

To be eligible to apply for a Bermuda driving licence, you must be able to prove that you will be resident in Bermuda for a period of 30 days or more. In the case of visitors renting property on a holiday basis for 30 days or more, a copy of your lease may be required.

It is important to note that Bermuda has very specific rules about vehicle access for visitors. Visitors are not allowed to drive a motorcycle or a car, but if they are over 16 years of age, they can hire a moped (up to 50 cc) without any licence or examination. Small electric vehicles can also be hired, with a short licence issued by the rental company. This makes Bermuda unusual compared to most other tourist destinations, where short-term car hire on a foreign licence is the norm.

Is there a licence exchange agreement, or is a test required?

Unlike many countries — such as those within the EU, or nations with bilateral agreements like Australia and the United Kingdom — Bermuda has no reciprocal licence exchange arrangements with any other jurisdiction. It is not possible to exchange a foreign licence for a Bermuda one. To get a Bermuda driving licence, you must go through the full application process at the Transport Control Department (TCD) office in the City of Hamilton.

This means that even if you have held a full, clean driving licence for decades in another country, you will still be required to sit and pass both a written theory examination and a practical road test in Bermuda. There are no exemptions based on nationality, years of driving experience, or the type of licence held abroad.

The problem is linked to Bermuda’s failure to sign an international treaty, the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, drawn up to standardise international road safety rules. Until Bermuda accedes to this or a similar treaty, the absence of any recognition framework means the full testing route remains the only legal path to driving on the island as a resident.

How do I obtain a Bermuda driving licence?

There are three steps to getting a driver’s licence in Bermuda: completing a Driver’s Licence Application, sitting the written theory exam, and passing a practical driving test. You will need a doctor to complete part of the application form to certify you are fit to operate a motor vehicle. If you are interested in a commercial truck licence, you must visit the Transport Control Department main office to apply.

You must be a minimum age of 16 years old to drive an auxiliary cycle, and a minimum age of 18 years old to drive a motorcycle or any other vehicle. The completed medical examination form is only valid for three months. Make sure your medical appointment is booked close enough to your exam date so the form does not expire before you submit it.

1. Complete the Driver’s Licence Application form. Obtain the Driver’s Licence Application form from the Information Desk at the Transport Control Department or online through the Government of Bermuda website. A doctor must complete the medical section to certify that you are fit to drive.
2. Gather your supporting documents. To take the exam, you will need to bring your birth certificate, a valid passport, or a work permit, as well as the completed application to the Transport Control Department main office.
3. Study for the written theory exam. The electronic exam will test your general knowledge of the rules of the road, speed limits, and signage. You can purchase the handbook at the main office of the Transport Control Department.
4. Sit the written exam and obtain a Learner’s Permit. An official will verify your application, and if everything is in order, you will qualify for the written theory electronic exam. Pay the application fee, sit the exam, and if you pass, purchase a Learner’s Permit. The exam fee is approximately $30–$49 depending on the vehicle category (check with TCD for current fees).
5. Book and pass a practical driving test. After passing the written exam, schedule an appointment to take a driving test at the TCD testing grounds. You can phone the office during business hours to book an appointment. The test covers basic topics, and tests for four-wheel vehicles also include a parallel parking test, reversing test, and a supervised driving test.
6. Consider taking an orientation lesson. You might find it helpful to book an orientation lesson with a local driving instructor. This will familiarise you with local driving practices, city road markings, and the one-way routes throughout the city. To book an orientation lesson, contact the TCD main office.
7. Collect your licence. After you successfully complete all these steps, you will receive a driver’s licence to operate a motor vehicle in Bermuda.

TCD accepts cash, MasterCard, and Visa. There are no ATMs at any of the TCD locations. It is advisable to bring your preferred method of payment on the day of your exam.

How long is a Bermuda driving licence valid, and how do I renew it?

After passing the driving test, you will be issued a licence for up to a period of ten years, or up to your 70th birthday. At 70 years of age, your driver’s licence is renewed for five years. After the age of 75, the licence has to be renewed every two years. This age-tiered renewal system is similar to approaches used in several other jurisdictions, where older drivers are subject to more frequent licence reviews to ensure continued fitness to drive.

To renew a licence, contact the Transport Control Department directly. Renewal may require an updated medical certificate, particularly for older drivers. Bermuda has a Government committee under the Motor Car Act 1951 to determine the fitness or otherwise of licensed Bermuda drivers, especially those over 75 years old. Drivers in this age group should be prepared for a more thorough review process at renewal time.

Is an International Driving Permit recognised in Bermuda?

The status of the International Driving Permit (IDP) in Bermuda is a complex and somewhat uncertain area, directly tied to Bermuda’s position outside the major international road traffic conventions. Bermuda driving-licence holders cannot get an IDP because Bermuda is not signed up to any of the international conventions. This cuts both ways: it also means Bermuda does not have a straightforward framework for formally recognising IDPs issued by other countries.

For visitors arriving in Bermuda, the practical picture is nuanced. Some sources advise carrying an IDP alongside your national licence, as it provides a multilingual translation of your credentials. The IDP is valid only when carried in conjunction with a national driving licence and acts as a translation of it. If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer in a foreign country, your domestic driver’s licence and IDP should be presented together.

However, as established above, visitors to Bermuda cannot rent cars regardless of what documents they carry — only small electric vehicles and mopeds are available for hire. For renting an electric buggy, insurance and a short licence is issued by the rental company. For residents, an IDP from your home country is not a substitute for a Bermuda licence, and you should proceed directly to obtaining a local licence through the TCD.

It is also worth noting that the lack of IDP access creates practical difficulties for people holding Bermuda licences when they travel abroad. Bermuda-licensed drivers have reported being unable to rent vehicles in other countries, with officials treating the Bermuda licence as invalid. The problem has been linked to Bermuda’s absence from the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. This is an ongoing issue that the Bermuda Government has been urged to resolve.

What are the penalties for motoring offences in Bermuda?

Bermuda operates a demerit points system under the Traffic Offences (Penalties) Act 1976, as amended. The Director of the Transport Control Department keeps a record of all demerit points. Points are added to a driver’s record for specific offences, and accumulating too many within a set period triggers escalating consequences including mandatory disqualification.

Two motorists were banned from driving all vehicles for six months after committing several speeding offences in 2025. One driver was fined $300 after pleading guilty to driving at 60km/h, and a second fine of $280 was issued for driving at 58km/h. The senior magistrate noted that the driver had accrued 12 demerit points within two years and had to be taken off the road for six months. This illustrates that 12 demerit points within a two-year period triggers a mandatory ban.

When the driver asked not to be banned because of personal difficulties, the magistrate confirmed that the ban was mandatory. This underlines that disqualification at the 12-point threshold is not discretionary — courts have no power to waive it.

Key offences and penalties to be aware of include:

• Speeding: Speeding fines in Bermuda vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences. The island-wide maximum speed limit is 35 km/h (approximately 21 mph), with lower limits in urban areas such as Hamilton.
• Drink-driving: The legal blood alcohol limit in Bermuda is 0.05%. Penalties for drink-driving include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment. Driving under the influence will incur a fine from $2,000, plus penalties including demerit points and likely disqualification.
• Using a mobile phone while driving: It is against the law to drive while using a distracting device such as a mobile phone. The legislation creates an offence for drivers holding a phone in their hand either to talk on or to text. The law fines offenders up to $500 for people caught using phones or other devices while driving.
• Driving without insurance: Driving without insurance is illegal. Offenders are disqualified from driving.
• Seatbelts: Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height. Failure to comply is a ticketable offence.

The TCD has island-wide deployment of an Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system. Based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, EVR is used to maintain an accurate registration of the island’s vehicles. RFID tags on each vehicle interact with strategically placed readers around the island to ensure that all vehicles are properly registered, insured, and inspected. The system combats vehicle owners who break the law by driving with no licence or insurance.

Contact details for the Transport Control Department

The Transport Control Department (TCD) — an agency of the Bermuda Government — administers the operation of all motor vehicles on the roads. The Department regulates and controls the size, number, and quality of vehicles on Bermuda’s roads as well as their operation. It is the sole authoritative regulatory authority in Bermuda for all aspects of private and public transport.

All driving licence applications, written exams, practical tests, renewals, and general enquiries are handled by the TCD. Apply for a Bermuda driver’s licence from the TCD by going in person to: 11 North Street, Hamilton HM 17, Post Office Box HM 718, Hamilton HM CX, telephone (441) 292-1271. The TCD’s email address is [email protected].

You can also access the driver’s licence application form and further guidance on the official Government of Bermuda website: www.gov.bm/how-get-drivers-licence. The online TCD portal is available at www.etcd.gov.bm.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Bermuda using only my foreign driving licence?

Not if you are a resident. Foreign licences are not legally recognised for driving in Bermuda. You must obtain a Bermuda driving licence through the Transport Control Department. Visitors who are not resident cannot rent or drive a car at all, regardless of what licence they hold, though mopeds and small electric vehicles are available for hire.

Do I need to sit a driving test even if I have years of experience abroad?

Yes. There are no licence exchange agreements between Bermuda and any other country, so all applicants — regardless of their driving history — must pass both a written theory exam and a practical driving test administered by the TCD.

How long does it take to get a Bermuda driving licence?

The timeline depends on appointment availability at the TCD and how quickly you can get your medical certificate completed by a doctor (valid for three months). Once you have your documents in order, you will need to pass the written exam before booking the practical test. Contact the TCD directly for current appointment wait times.

Is there a minimum age requirement for obtaining a driving licence in Bermuda?

You must be a minimum age of 16 years old to drive an auxiliary cycle, and a minimum age of 18 years old to drive a motorcycle or any other vehicle.

How many demerit points can I accumulate before losing my licence?

Accumulating 12 demerit points within a two-year period results in a mandatory ban from driving for six months. This threshold applies regardless of personal circumstances, as the ban is mandatory under Bermuda law.

What happens to my Bermuda licence as I get older?

A standard Bermuda driving licence is valid for up to ten years or until your 70th birthday. At 70, your licence is renewed for five years. After the age of 75, the licence must be renewed every two years. Older drivers may be required to provide an updated medical certificate and may be reviewed by the Government committee established under the Motor Car Act 1951.

Can I use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of a Bermuda licence?

No. An IDP is not a substitute for a Bermuda driving licence if you are resident on the island. Bermuda is not a signatory to the international road traffic conventions that govern IDP recognition, which creates a complex legal landscape. Residents must hold a locally issued Bermuda licence to drive legally.

Where can I get the Traffic Code Handbook to study for the written exam?

You can purchase the Traffic Code Handbook at the main office of the Transport Control Department. The handbook covers the rules of the road, speed limits, and road signage — all of which are tested in the electronic theory exam. Driving on the left is one immediate adjustment for those accustomed to right-hand traffic systems.