ABOUT TOURISM DRIVER PERMIT

Tourism Drivers Permit
A person who intends to drive public land transport to transport tourists must apply to the relevant permit officer for a tourist driver’s permit.
The following documents must be attached with Drivers Permit Application Form;
  1. Copy of Valid driver’s license
  2. Copy of valid medical certificate
  3. Copy of valid Police Clearance
  4. Copy of Birth Certificate
  5. Copy of VNPF Membership Card
  6. Proof of Membership of Provincial Public Land Transport Association
  7. Driver’s Permit fee of VATU2, 000
A driver’s permit is only valid for 1 year and whether they are issued at the beginning of the year or during the 4th quarter of each year, they all expire on 31st of December of each year. A late renewal fee of VATU5,000 will be charged if drivers permit is renewed after 31st of December of each year. This means after this date drivers will pay a total of VATU7,000.

Drivers Permit is ONLY issued by the Office of Public Land Transport Authority.

Section16 (3) (a)-(b) of the Public Land Transport Act states that;
(3) A person must not drive a public land transport to transport the general public with the intention of charging a fee unless:
(a) that person has been issued with a valid general driver’s permit under subsection 17(1); and
(b) that person is a citizen of Vanuatu.

A person who contravenes subsection (3) mentioned above, commits an offence punishable, on conviction, by a fine not exceeding VT500,000 or pay a spot fine of VATU10,000. The vehicle will be impounded and will only be released if the prescribed penalty is paid.

According to Section 17 of the Act, a drivers permit will only be issued by the permit officers if he or she is satisfied that the applicant;

(a) has passed a test conducted by the Commissioner of Police or by persons authorised by the Commissioner; and

(b) is in possession of a medical certificate certifying the person as medically fit to drive a public land transport. The certificate must have been made not more than 6 months before the date of the said application; and

(c) has been in possession of a valid drivers licence for a period of not less than 1 year; and

(d) has not been convicted of any offence under the provisions of sections 12, 13 and 14 of the Road Traffic (Control) Act [CAP 29] within the previous 2 years from the date of the application; and

(e) has not been convicted of any traffic offences involving drunkenness or intoxication within the previous 2 years from the date of the application; and

(f) has not been convicted of the offence of sexual intercourse without consent; or

(g) is of or over the age of 21 years and under the age of 65 years; and

(h) has been certified by the Authority under subsection 21(3) to have met the prescribed standards; and

(i) is a member of an Association registered under subsection 11(1); and

(j) has paid the prescribed fee”.