A proposed law that removes the requirement for drivers under the age of 70 to get a medical certificate every time they renew their licence has been given the green light by MPs.

The Bill, which will now be sent to the Senate for approval, would also reduce inspections for new private motor cars within the first five years of licensing.

It would increase the time between inspections for public service vehicle licences from every six months to every 12 months, while a formal framework is provided for individuals to apply for shorter or instalment-based vehicle licensing in special circumstances.

There were no objections in the House of Assembly when Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, launched debate on the Motor Car and Auxiliary Bicycles (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2026.

The minister said the Bill made “four practical changes”.

“The changes do not remove important safeguards. They reduce unnecessary appointments, they reduce unnecessary costs and they reduce unnecessary administrative steps, while keeping the safety checks and regulatory controls that matter.”

Mr Darrell explained how under the present system a person applying for a driver’s licence must take a medical exam when they renew every ten years.

Should the amendments proceed, a medical would only be needed for the initial issuing of a licence, while an individual renewing would be able to submit a personal medical declaration instead.

Once a person reaches age 70, a medical certificate continues to be required for each renewal, while a fine of up to $1,000 can be issued for knowingly providing false or misleading information on a declaration.

The minister said evidence supported the change to make new cars subject to inspections after five years instead of three.

He added that changing the inspection frequency of public service vehicles from every six months to 12 months maintained safety and compliance standards while reducing the burden of twice-yearly inspections.

Greater flexibility in the payment and duration of vehicle licensing would allow individuals to apply to the director to pay their licence in instalments.

“Although these amendments deal with different parts of the transport legislation, they have one common purpose — to make Government's process simpler without weakening the safeguards that protect the public”, the minister added.

Dwayne Robinson, the Shadow Minister of Home and Community Affairs, said: “First things first, the One Bermuda Alliance supports anything that streamlines a process for Bermudians and also takes into account our current cost of living crisis.”

Mr Robinson asked the minister to consider adding a mental health component alongside the physical requirements needed to obtain a licence.

He added: “I would like to see that this relicensing take into account that we do seem to have a mental health issue in our country, and also a substance abuse issue in our country, and a lot of that can be assessed by having a mental component added to this medical declaration that is stated in this Bill.”