What are the changes to Provisional Driver’s Licence (Learner’s Permit) processing come January 2020?
After January 24, 2020, persons seeking to obtain a Provisional Driver’s Licence will be required to pass the Road Code Test before becoming eligible to be granted same.
What is the Road Code Test?
The Road Code Test is a multiple choice test which is designed to evaluate a person’s knowledge of the general rules of the road which would include road signs, road markings and road safety.
Will there be a guide to prepare persons to take the Test?
Individuals wishing to take the test may continue to use the Road Code content of the existing literature that is normally used to prepare for the written component of the driver’s licence test.
Will the Test attract any fee?
The cost for the test is included in the fee for the Provisional Driver’s Licence. Re-sits will be offered without charge until further notice.
What is the process for applicants from paying, to taking the Test, to receiving permit?
Applicants will be able to obtain a physical application form at any office of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Tax Office or an electronic version from the website of the Ministry of Transport and Mining or Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ). The completed application, along with three (3) identical, certified photographs should be submitted to the ITA. The applicant will then be allowed to take the Road Code Test without charge. Once the applicant has passed the Road Code Test, the applicant will then proceed to the TAJ to pay the fee and be issued with the Provisional Driver’s Licence.
Where will applicants take the test?
Any Island Traffic Authority (ITA) Examination Depot.
What is the format for the Test?
Multiple Choice. A format similar to the written test now administered as part of the driver’s licence test.
What grade is required to pass?
A pass mark of 75% has been determined.
What if I fail the road code test, can I retake it?
Yes.
How much does it cost to retake the Test?
During this introductory period there is no charge to retake the test.
How soon can applicants retake the Test?
Applicants will be advised by the ITA when they should return to retake the Test, if they fail to achieve the required grade.
How soon will applicants be able to get the Learner’s Permit after successfully passing the test?
As soon as they have successfully passed the Road Code Test and take the documentation provided by ITA to any Tax Office.
Where will the Learner’s Permit be issued?
At any Tax Office, provided the applicant has successfully passed the Road Code Test.
What is the current fee for a Learner’s Licence?
$1800
Will an existing Provisional Driver’s Licence still be valid after January 24, 2020?
Yes. It remains valid for up to one year after the date it was issued.
Will someone with a Provisional Driver’s Licence before the new procedure came into effect after January 24, 2020, who needs to get a new one have to do the Road Code Test?
Yes. Any person seeking to obtain a Provisional Driver’s Licence after January 24, 2020 will be required to pass the Road Code Test, even if the individual had been granted a Provisional Driver’s Licence in the past.
How will the Tax Office know if someone has passed the Road Code Test?
Whenever the Tax Office is processing a Provisional Driver’s Licence after January 24, 2020, an ITA database will be checked to verify if the applicant has already passed the Road Code Test
Will someone who got their Provisional Driver’s Licence after January 24, 2020, having passed the Road Code Test, need to take the Road Code Test again when applying for their Driver’s Licence?
No. A holder of a Provisional Driver’s Licence who passed the Road Code Test to obtain same (that is, someone who received it after January 24, 2020) will not be required to sit the Road Code portion of the written test when applying for a Driver’s Licence, but will be required sit the portion on driving skills. However, persons who obtained their Provisional Driver’s Licence prior to the requirement for applicants to first pass the Road Code Test coming into effect, will be required to sit the full theory test, comprising both Road Code and Driving Skills questions when applying for a Driver’s Licence.
Will someone who passed the Road Code Test and was granted a Provisional Driver’s Licence after January 24, 2020 but it expires before they apply for a Driver’s Licence, need to retake the Test to get another one?
No. Once an applicant has passed the Road Code Test and has been granted a Provisional Driver’s Licence after January 24, 2020, if he/she should have to renew the Provisional Driver’s Licence in the future (in case of loss or expiration), he/she will not be required to retake the Road Code Test and can therefore proceed to the TAJ with a completed application form and other required documents and pay the required fee.