By Alicia Chamely

DRIVERS, whose licenses have been suspended under the former demerit point system, no longer must pay for private road rehabilitation programmes, as it is now being offered for free by the Licensing Office.

This was announced at Thursday’s post-cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour.

Zakour said currently there were 706 persons disqualified from holding a license.

He explained under the law, suspension periods for those persons who had become disqualified from holding a driver license was between six months to two years. At the end of the suspension period, persons were required to participate in a rehabilitation programme if they wished to regain their license.

Zakour said, “Currently there are two approved organisations offering the programme at cost of over $1200. I am happy to report there is now another option.”

The Minister said starting around August 18, the Licensing Office will be providing a driver rehabilitation programme for free. He said the programme will be scheduled to avoid any rush.

Zakour said, “The programme will consist of a two-day in-person course, inclusive of an examination, the programme will be facilitated by staff of the Transport Division, with the assistance of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.”

He added, “The programme will be provided at no cost.”

Zakour said the programme was in alignment with what was being offered by private organisations and expressed his full confidence in the programme.

AZP News contacted Arrive Alive President Sharon Inglefield for a comment.

Inglefield said, “Arrive Alive is absolutely thrilled the Licensing Office will be providing this programme for free for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Arrive Alive is one of the two organizations used previously by the government to provide road rehabilitation to drivers.