The Island Traffic Authority, (ITA) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, (JCF) have sought to clarify the regulations pertaining to driving instruction.

This, following recent media reports that only certified driving instructors and licensed driving schools can teach persons to drive.

In a statement yesterday, the ITA said regulation 168, paragraph 2(D) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022, explicitly states that: “a person who provides the services of a driving instructor without the requirement for a fee or payment shall not be required to be certified under this part.”

It said this provision includes parents or guardians who wish to teach their children to drive.

However, persons or institutions offering driving instruction services for a fee or payment must obtain the necessary certification and licence from the ITA, pursuant to regulation 168.

While certified instructors and licensed driving schools offer formal training, the law does not prohibit parents or guardians from offering instruction, as long as no financial compensation is involved and the level of training meets road safety and competency standards.

The ITA said it is important to note that any training provided, whether by a certified instructor or a parent, should be thorough enough to prepare the learner to meet the required standards to pass the road code, yard and road tests.

The ITA and the JCF acknowledged that there may have been some confusion regarding this aspect of the law and said persons who experience issues on the road should take note of the individual stops and report the matters to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Public SSafety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.

Reports can also be made to the JCF’s Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau.