28. Issue, endorsement and renewal
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(1) On application in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee, the Licensing Authority may issue, endorse or renew a driver's licence if the Licensing Authority determines that the applicant —
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(a) is fit and able, having regard to the prescribed requirements and the applicant's physical condition, to drive the category of motor vehicle of the class of the driver's licence for which the application is made;
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(b) is not disqualified from driving under this Act or under the applicable law, or any other law.
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(2) For purposes of subsection (1)(a) the applicant shall —
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(a) provide reports of tests of the applicant's vision, hearing and physical fitness, certifying that these are adequate to enable him or her to drive without threatening road safety;
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(b) submit to any driving tests as prescribed;
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(c) provide any information that the Authority considers necessary, including information for identifying the applicant.
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(3) A valid driver's licence authorizes the holder to drive a motor vehicle of the category that is specified in the driver's licence.
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(4) A driver's licence is unless cancelled, valid —
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(a) for one year in the case of a first licence; or
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(b) for 3 years in the case of subsequent licences,
and is renewable, on payment of the prescribed fee, on a date coinciding with the date on which it was first issued and the provisions of this section shall apply with the necessary modification in respect of an application for renewal.
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(5) A holder seeking a renewal of a driver's licence under subsection (4)(a) shall as a condition of renewal, attend and successfully complete a defensive driving course prescribed by the Authority.
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(6) Further to the provisions of subsection (2)(b), in the case of an application for renewal of a driver's licence, submission to a driving test shall be compulsory for any applicant who is —
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(a) not less than 65 years of age and seeks the renewal of a drivers licence entitling him or her to drive a public service vehicle;
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(b) not less than 70 years of age and seeks the renewal of a driver's licence entitling him or her to drive any vehicle other than a public service vehicle.
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(7) A holder who fails to renew his or her driver's licence after its expiry is liable to the prescribed penalty fee, unless the holder satisfies the Authority that the failure was due to unavoidable reasons or circumstances.
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(8) Notwithstanding this section, on application in the prescribed manner the Licensing Authority may exempt a holder from the payment of fees under this section from the date that the licence expires, if it is satisfied that —
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(a) the holder has not had the opportunity to renew the driver's licence having not returned to Saint Lucia during the period for which an exemption is being requested;
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(b) the holder has an expired provisional driver's licence but has been away from Saint Lucia during the period for which an exemption is being requested;
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(c) the holder is an inmate in a Correctional Facility or incarcerated in a Correctional Facility outside of Saint Lucia;
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(d) the holder is incapable of driving due to illness or medical reasons.
(Inserted by Act 1 of 2018)
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(9) An application under subsection (8) must contain —
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(a) a copy of the passport of the holder showing proof that the holder was not admitted to Saint Lucia during the period for which an exemption is being requested;
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(b) or a letter from a registered medical practitioner certifying the period and nature of illness.
(Inserted by Act 1 of 2018)
(Amended by Act 10 of 2006)