Tackling cites treaty obstacle to paid visitor driving permit

Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling told Parliament that Sint Maarten could not simply require visitors with legally recognised foreign or international driving licences to buy a local driving permit. She said such a requirement could conflict with obligations under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

Tackling said the Convention applies to Sint Maarten and is reflected in the Road Traffic Ordinance, which recognises qualifying foreign and international licences. Visitors who meet those requirements may drive without obtaining an additional local licence because they are tourists, she said.

The minister referred to a 2014 proposal for a temporary visitor driving permit. Tackling said the Council of Advice concluded that visitors whose licences were already recognised could not be required to buy another permit as a condition of driving.

She said the earlier advice did not prevent Government from considering revenue linked to rental vehicles or visitors who drive. The Council of Advice had identified taxation as a possible alternative, according to Tackling.

MP Darryl York asked Tackling to examine Barbados' visitor driving system. Tackling said Government could examine approaches used elsewhere, but any proposal would first have to comply with the Road Traffic Ordinance and international obligations.