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Transport Minister Explains How Warning System For Specific Traffic Violations Will Work

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Eli Zakour, announced during the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing this evening (Thursday 8th January, 2026) that Cabinet has approved proposed amendments to sections 80, 82, 88A and 88D of the Motor Vehicle Road Traffic Act (48:50), to introduce mandatory fixed penalty warnings for specific traffic violations.

Minister Zakour said eighteen (18) traffic violations will carry mandatory fixed penalty warnings, as listed below:

  1. No identification lights for the illumination of identification marks on vehicles at night - 3 DAYS.
  2. Number of passengers to be carried not printed on right front door of taxi - 3 DAYS.
  3. No Tare and M.G.W painted on vehicles - 3 DAYS.
  4. Vehicle with defective fittings (Licensing Authority has confirmed that several defects such as damaged windscreens, etc., are covered under this violation) - 7 DAYS.
  5. Vehicle without silencers or fitted with cut outs - 3 DAYS.
  6. Unauthorized lights to front or rear of vehicles - 3 DAYS.
  7. Unauthorized letters and figures on vehicle - 3 DAYS.
  8. Vehicles without two head lamps - 3 DAYS.
  9. Vehicle without park lights - 3 DAYS.
  10. Vehicle without tail lights - 3 DAYS.
  11. No “left hand drive” notice affixed to appropriate vehicle - 3 DAYS.
  12. Vehicle without horn - 3 DAYS.
  13. Permitting excess sparks, smoke or visible vapour from vehicle - 7 DAYS.
  14. Vehicle without reflecting mirror - 3 DAYS.
  15. Use of noisy vehicle - 7 DAYS.
  16. Use of vehicle with no windshield wiper of defective wiper - 3 DAYS.
  17. Public Service vehicle without spare tyre - 3 DAYS.
  18. Placing of advertisement on side of window of taxi - 3 DAYS.

The Minister explained that under the new proposal, if you are stopped by a Constable, TTPS Officer, Licensing Officer or Traffic Warden, and there is a defect on your vehicle, you will get a written, printed warning. You will have three (3) or seven (7) working days (depending on the violation) to fix the defect. Once you have done so, you have to visit any Police Station or Licensing Office in the country, with your vehicle, to show that the defect has been fixed. You would then receive a written receipt, which you will have to upload to a portal. Police Officers will also submit that receipt to a Central Unit. At that point, the warning will be cancelled.

If, however, you do not present yourself, the warning automatically becomes a fixed penalty notice — a fine you have to pay within the stipulated time frame.

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, said in a strongly-worded statement last night (Wednesday 7th January, 2026) that there will “absolutely be NO REDUCTION in traffic fines and strict enforcement will continue until these reforms are made.”

Please be guided accordingly.

More on this as it becomes available.

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