thebahamasweekly.com – Commercial Driver Certification Service

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Following the Bahamian government’s announcement of mandatory Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs), Motor Vehicle Training Schools have provided an exceptional service to local companies, who have collectively certified hundreds of drivers through the school to date. Hundreds of people have now passed the program before the law takes effect on January 1, 2023.

“I am an experienced driver in this industry and was very impressed with the training both in the classroom and in the field,” said Mr. Samuel Lightbourne Sr., owner of Lil Sam & Sons Trucking.

He added: “The level of training is first class and I commend the school and the government for their efforts.”

The Motor Vehicle Training School is the only Commercial Driver License (CDL) certified school in the Bahamas. The school provides training and certification for Class A, B, and C drivers. Anyone 21 years of age or older may participate in the school’s training program. Existing commercial drivers may take the certification course at the age of 18.

While the trucking, haulage, and public transportation industries are the primary stakeholders impacted by the Bahamas’ mandatory Commercial Driver License (CDL) law, all road users are also positively impacted. Drivers in these industries becoming certified will demonstrate that they have the basic knowledge to operate a commercial vehicle safely and efficiently. This will make all road users and pedestrians safer.

Heavy vehicles, heavy trucks, heavy equipment operators and licensed hazardous materials vehicle drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) by a January deadline to operate on any public road in the Bahamas. Anyone operating these vehicles who fails to obtain a CDL will be guilty of a crime.

Drivers who carry hazardous materials, passengers, or tank trucks must complete additional training to become certified in hazardous materials or tank trucks. This will extend their training by only one day. The entire certification course for existing drivers takes five to seven days, with only two days spent in the classroom. All categories of commercial drivers must recertify every three years.

The first step to getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is to get a certification from a motor vehicle training school. With the school’s certificate, drivers can go to the road traffic department with the certificate, passport, NIB card and valid driver’s license.

The Motor Vehicle Training School is located in Nassau, Bahamas, but will announce training dates and other details of visits to various Family Islands. Training has taken place in Grand Bahama and is currently being arranged for Abaco Island. More training will be conducted in these and other surrounding islands over time. This will therefore allow Family Islanders to also obtain a commercial driver’s license at an affordable price.