Vehicle Transfers in Trinidad and Tobago

Process, Fees, Forms, Everything you need to know.

Transferring a vehicle can seem like a daunting task, but with this guide we'll try to make it as easy as possible.

Requirements:

The owner must be at least 17 years of age.
Any two forms of ID: Identification card, valid passport, birth certificate or driver’s permit.
A valid certificate of insurance in the new owner' name
Receipt of sale
Transfer form (obtainable from licensing office or download here)
In the event that a company wishes to carry out the transfer of a motor vehicle, the Director of the company should provide written authorisation for his or her representative of the company to act on their behalf to either purchase or sell the motor vehicle (s).
When a motor vehicle is purchased from a company and the buyer has paid VAT at the time of purchase, the invoice / tax receipt must be validated by the VAT Office at the Inland Revenue Department.
The vehicle must be brought onto the Licensing Office Compound to be examined.

Transfer Fees:

A transfer fee of $10.00 must be paid for all vehicles, except motor cycles (250cc and under is $150.00, over 250cc is $300.00)

A transfer tax must also be paid for all vehicle transfers. The transfer tax is based on the date of registration of the vehicle in Trinidad and Tobago. The table below outlines the transfer taxes:

Under 2 years	$6,000.00
2 - 5 years	$4,500.00
5 - 7 years	$3,000.00
7 - 10 years	$1,350.00
Over 10 years	$150.00

*If the vehicle is owned by a V.A.T. registered company then V.A.T. is payable by the company and the transfer tax is exempted. See requirements above.

Special Circumstances:

If the registered owner is ill or disabled.

In the event that the registered owner of a motor vehicle is ill or disabled and cannot come into the Licensing Office, a written request must be submitted to the Transport Commissioner along with supporting medical correspondence to verify the severity of the illness. Once approved, a fee of $100.00 should be paid for this service. Licensing Officers will then be assigned to visit the given address to verify identification cards and the vehicle, where possible.

If the registered owner is overseas.

In the event that the owner of the motor vehicle is overseas, if the owner of the vehicle is a Notary Public, they must indicate to the Licensing Office that they do not have any objections to the transfer of the motor vehicle or motor cycle or to whom they wish to transfer the vehicle. The person appointed to conduct the transfer as highlighted in the Notary Public, should also provide a Sworn Affidavit to confirm the information. The original documents are required, however, copies of the owner's identification will be accepted.

If the registered owner is deceased.

In case of the death of the registered owner of a motor vehicle, the legal heir or any other person into whose possession the vehicle shall lawfully come, for the purpose of transfer must apply in person to the Transport Commissioner who will advise on the appropriate steps to be taken in each case.
The required documents are as follows:

Death Certificate
Two forms of Identification: ID/Driver's Permit/Passport
Original and copies of the Letter of Administration or Probate of Will
Statutory Declaration (if transferring under the doctrine of survivorship)