The tourism and transport ministry has said it is actively pursuing a solution that will allow residents to drive vehicles in certain overseas jurisdictions on their Bermudian licences.

Over the past decade, Bermudians have reported difficulty renting vehicles including in the Azores, the United States, Canada, Iceland and Japan.

The longstanding issue was raised again after The Royal Gazetterevealed that Trip.bm secured summer and winter flight schedules between Bermuda and the Azores.

The Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda has said previously that some people have even found themselves in the courts for driving in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal.

The driving problem is linked to Bermuda not being a signatory to an international treaty — the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic — drawn up to standardise international road safety rules.

That has resulted in overseas authorities failing to accept a Bermuda driving licence.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said: “The ministry continues to actively pursue a resolution [with regards to the reciprocal driving agreement].

“We recognise that this initiative plays an important role in improving connectivity and convenience for Bermudians travelling abroad.

“While a formal agreement has not yet been achieved, we remain committed and optimistic about advancing this effort.

“In the interim, Bermudians travelling to the Azores are encouraged to explore alternative transportation arrangements.”

Andrea Moniz-DeSouza, the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda and president of the Azorean Emigrant Association in the Azores, said she would also like to see the licences recognised.

She added: “We have both the Azorean and Bermudian governments collaborating on the driver’s licence issue, and we hope to have positive updates on all fronts very soon.”

In the 2024 Throne Speech, Rena Lalgie, the Governor at the time, said the ministry had begun “the required work to achieve reciprocity of foreign driving licences pursuant to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic”.

Ms Moniz-DeSouza said last July during a trip to the Azores: “People have been arrested.”

She added: “They have been lucky enough when they have appeared in the courts here to say they were not aware of it, and were fined.

“Right now the court excuses it, but it’s definitely an issue.”

Citing the news that Trip.bm had secured Azores flights, the ministry spokeswoman added: “We’re aware of and encouraged by the initiative taken by Trip.bm and their partners to secure seasonal charter flights between Bermuda and the Azores.

“This reflects a shared recognition of the historic and cultural ties between our communities and we applaud efforts that offer Bermudians and visitors more diverse travel opportunities.”