The Cayman Islands Government has scaled back its planned increase in driver’s licence fees for non-Caymanians, reducing the gap between the rates paid by Caymanians and other residents. Under the revised schedule, non-Caymanian full licence fees will be roughly three times the applicable Caymanian rate, rather than the eight times that was originally approved.
Caymanians will receive discounts when opting for longer licences, with reductions of 10% on three-year licences, 15% on five-year licences and 20% on 10-year licences.
For a standard Group 0–3 full licence, Caymanians will pay CI$25 for one year, $68 for three years, $106 for five years and $200 for 10 years. The corresponding non-Caymanian fees are $75, $225, $375 and $750.
Minister for Finance and Economic Development Rolston Anglin explained that “revenues have exceeded expectations for the first six months of the year… a reduction in the proposed licence fees would not negatively impact government revenues while also providing residents and Caymanians with some cost-of-living relief.”
Premier André Ebanks stated, “The decision reflected the National Coalition for Caymanians Government’s approach of using data to guide policy while balancing fiscal responsibility with benefits for Caymanians.”
The new system will also introduce a verification process at the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing. Government records will be used to determine the applicable fee, but a missing or unmatched record will not automatically result in an applicant being charged the higher rate. Cases that cannot be verified electronically will instead undergo manual review.
Verified Caymanians will qualify for the lower rate, while verified spouses and civil partners of Caymanians may also qualify. Additionally, people aged 65 and over, including non-Caymanian seniors, are eligible for the reduced fee.
