Trinidad Vehicle Registration Process

Registering An Imported Vehicle In Trinidad: What To Know

Before we discuss the various aspects of registering a vehicle in Trinidad, you should be aware that you must pay both a value-added tax (VAT) and a motor tax to register a motorcar in Trinidad and Tobago.

The VAT currently sits at 12.5% of the vehicle value; however, the tax varies depending on the type of auto and its engine displacement. For motors with an engine size of 2,000cc or more, the tax has been increased by 50%. There is also a sliding scale of taxation that charges more for different tiers of engine displacement. This means that shipping cars from the U.S. won’t be cheap since many of our vehicles exceed 2,000 ccs.

Vehicle Inspection

If you are caught driving a vehicle not submitted for inspection in Trinidad, you will be fined around $750. This fine applies if you are driving with an expired inspection sticker since every vehicle is legally required to be roadworthy. For this reason, the inspection is sometimes called a “Roadworthiness Inspection.” If a car is five years old (or more), it must be reinspected every two years.

Visit our shipping page to learn more about shipping a vehicle from the U.S. We offer a wealth of information that includes the required documents, cost expectations, taxes and duties, and much more!

Driving & Vehicle Enrollment Resources

You should be aware of some key differences in driving in Trinidad. This section covers the main points and includes some driving tips on the island and some informational resources to help you if you have further questions.

Vehicles in Trinidad drive on the left side of the road, as opposed to the right-side driving in many other countries. You may find that drivers in the area use their horns more liberally and their blinkers less frequently than you’re accustomed to. You should also pay special attention to pedestrians as they may not always yield to vehicular traffic.

Driving without insurance or registration is not a light offense in Trinidad, nor is texting while driving or operating a vehicle with any alcohol in your system. These are very important things to remember, especially if you come from the U.S., where the penalties are less severe.

Vehicle Resources

Trinidad Highway Code—Driving regulations for the local area and Tobago, including information for drivers and pedestrians and how to interpret the local street signs. There is also a good section about driving and safety tips.

Ministry of Works & Transport—The Ministry of Works and move oversees the licensing, registration, and inspection of cars in Trinidad. It is the equivalent of an area motor bureau or department.

We encourage our readers to contact us if they consider shipping a vehicle to carry. We maintain some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, and our staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call the number at the top of the page today to learn more or to get a FREE cost estimate!