Comments on: Minister On Issues Using Driving Licence Abroad

By: Calamityjane61

Calamityjane61 — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:40:55 +0000

And try getting a cab to even come out to places like The Narrows, no way! Yes house guests using residents cars is what is needed. Don’t need rental cars, everyone knows that’s not a good idea, too many cars on the road.

By: Calamityjane61

Calamityjane61 — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:35:14 +0000

Any update on this? I’ve been coming from the uk to Bermuda almost every year for 20 years but still I can’t drive my brothers car, who is a resident. It’s so annoying, road rules same as uk etc etc. we know you can’t have rental cars, there is no room for any more cars, but seriously, let me just drive my brothers car to the grocery store ffs!!!!

By: James

James — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 15:41:10 +0000

There is no insurance issue.
It is the vehicle that is insured in Bermuda. Not the driver.
The insurance companies would like you to believe otherwise.
Years ago a guy was killed on a bike he had bought from someone who had left the island. The insurance policy was still in force and they paid out for the damage to the other party. Because they had to.

By: Name of rental company

Name of rental company — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 13:21:39 +0000

The Minister stated one rental company in particular in Azores, does any one know the name of the rental company?

By: Walter Burgess

Walter Burgess — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:07:12 +0000

This issue is not new for those of us you travel to the Azores.

I have been in communications as of Sept 2016 with Bda Government, (Premier Dunkley, Minister of Transportation, Azores Government) and to date while Premier Dunkley has always been the only person that has replied to my emails he as not detailed the true issue at hand.

This article goes along way in explaining what has the problem is, (not sure why this could not have been shared by Premier at outset) its not to difficult for the average person to understand.

Now the issue is what will the OBA do and when will they do it????

By: What??

What?? — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 22:05:47 +0000

The international license is not actually a license. It’s simply an certified translation of your current license.

By: What??

What?? — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 22:01:24 +0000

This will not alter the number of cars on the road. It will simply allow a visitor to drive a local’s car.

By: James H

James H — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 19:51:12 +0000

My brother who will visit from the UK this June would be able to drive my car while I am at work. It’s not all about rentals.

By: James H

James H — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:29:15 +0000

Not true. Just a few trouble makers outsid parliament. Mental cases mostly.

By: James H

James H — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:06:27 +0000

Once again, Bermuda needs to be dragged forward into last century. Sign the damn thing!

By: Bronya Hillier

Bronya Hillier — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:54:45 +0000

not true, call DVLA in uk and they will send your uk license to Bermuda address, just done it

By: sage

sage — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:46:20 +0000

How can they drive cars if they aren’t available for rent? Steal them? Problems renting cars is probably as a direct result of us demanding that the 80 vehicles to be imported for AC35 must be driven soley by Bermudians ( not a peep about that since, mind you), and when they were talking about rental mini-cars Fahy said tourists would have to get a Bermuda license, soon after reports about Mass. rental companies not recognizing our “licenses” were in the news. I bet there were no cases from 1949 until 2016 at least I have never heard of it.

By: overboard

overboard — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:31:59 +0000

Sign, and lots get on with it.

By: James H

James H — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:02:07 +0000

We have to give something to get something. Sign it already!

By: Just the Tip

Just the Tip — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 14:11:46 +0000

Just wondering but what else happens when we sign the Treaty? Are there requirements that need to be met? Does this effect other laws that we might have?

By: Ja

Ja — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:29:56 +0000

Everyone was that’s why the oba back down. Now go back to Canada where you came from.

By: serengeti

serengeti — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:25:22 +0000

and you can’t understand what the conversation is about.

By: serengeti

serengeti — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:24:35 +0000

The problem if he were to sign it without jumping through all these stupid hoops is that the perennial complainers would whine about how they were ‘not consulted’. So we have to exist without action for another few months. Otherwise we know that usual complainers will come out and say they’re ‘concerned’ and ‘the minister should resign’ blah blah blah.
That’s why it takes so long to do any simple thing around here.

By: Fisherman

Fisherman — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:20:20 +0000

We complain about tourists on bikes, we sign the treaty it would mean the tourists can drive cars here. We also complain about the number of vehicles on the road, not enough parking in the city – HELLOOO!!

By: Simons

Simons — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:49:36 +0000

Why cant we fall under the same as UK Geneva Convention?, after all this is UK territory. Think tank needed. Sounds like an insurance issue on the rental cars in some areas.

By: Tired of you crybabies

Tired of you crybabies — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:09:11 +0000

But if he signs it, wont PLP protest? and call a strike!! smdh

By: Caroline carrington

Caroline carrington — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:07:07 +0000

…now… forget poncing around about Brexit.

By: Caroline carrington

Caroline carrington — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:06:04 +0000

Why not. Do you want them to use a horse and carriage. Or go elsewhere?

By: Caroline carrington

Caroline carrington — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:02:44 +0000

Beware – can’t use your UK licence (or renew it) if you are not resident there. So UK persons may be unlicenced/uninsured. Can we get “international licences”? Maybe our Governor can represent us on this?

By: Caroline carrington

Caroline carrington — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:58:47 +0000

This is a major problem. Technically my UK licence is not valid if I am resident elswhere which means I have to rely on my Bermuda licence. This is unacceptable. Sign the convention.

By: Will

Will — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:45:41 +0000

This has more to do with transferring of licenses than it does with car rentals. It’s stupid that as a bermudian in order to get a uk license you have to do all the testing again whereas an American license can transfer automatically even though driving is completely different in the two countries. This has to do with governement trying to squeeze every penny out of people here in Bermuda as we all know the reason you can’t transfer a license here is tcd and driving instructors lose out but it’s time to move with the rest of the world on this and many other issues before we’re are left in the dark ages.

By: Aware

Aware — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:35:14 +0000

Back in the day there may have been sense to this, now there is none. Good on you Michael Fahy for giving interested parties a chance to speak up before you have ahead, however hopefully all will agree this is the way forward. As one specific area, it would mean that family house guests could drive the host’s car when they are at work. Mine as an example rarely take a cab, are too elderly now for bikes, so this would be a real advantage. They would then go out and about during their visit buying lunch, visiting tourist areas etc. win win.

By: The kid

The kid — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 10:59:29 +0000

get a grip, sign the treaty

By: Arthur - Atlanta

Arthur - Atlanta — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 10:55:59 +0000

Maybe they (like me) have a US driver license also.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 10:31:50 +0000

We need reciprocity. End of story. Sign what needs to be signed and get on with it!

By: Onion Juice

Onion Juice — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 09:40:27 +0000

And Americas Cup brings in their vehicles

By: byteme

byteme — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 08:46:56 +0000

Cuba signed the treaty – we did not.

By: Yur joking

Yur joking — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:34:37 +0000

So how are tourists supposed to rent these new rental cars that are coming…??? They don’t have local license and we don’t accept foreign license ??

By: Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:24:45 +0000

Guess they just turn the key and go lol

By: James H

James H — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:23:15 +0000

Yet another way Bermuda thinks she is ‘special’. Just sign the agreement already. Should have been done decades ago.

By: Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:22:36 +0000

He’s giving the public a chance to raise any concerns (complain) about things now, so that after the deal is done we don’t have to hear the whining about lack of transparency and conspiracy theories.

For that, I say thank you LOL.

By: Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:17:43 +0000

1) Actually he’s doing his job, dealing with a situation that has affected many Bermudians negatively when they travel.
He’s giving the public an update (unheard of?) on an issue that many people want to be fixed quickly.

2) Newsflash: not everyone in Bermuda was against the Pathways issue.

3) We can all drive in Canada, what’s your point?

By: RBYC member

RBYC member — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:15:03 +0000

Fahy you need to worry about winning the 2017 election and leave that alone before you stare up a BEES NEST like you did with the Pathway to Bermuda Status. You alone cause a mass walk out in the streets of Hamilton by supporters in both PLP & OBA. If you stick that nose out anymore it will bring attention to the problem and might affect us with other car rental companies in the United States.

You can always drive in Canada Fahy I wonder why.

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:09:47 +0000

Hmmmm…so how about Bermudians who own vehicles in the US? Guess they are driving illegally too.

By: asampson

asampson — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 01:27:28 +0000

THANK YOU…..but that would require a decision LOL

By: Kangoocar

Kangoocar — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 00:57:01 +0000

Attention all xenophobes! Either you get over you xenophobic ways and accept that tourists should be able to drive cars locally, or soon, none of us will be able to drive in the US! I can tell you there is more to this because other cars rentals have recently come out and said they will not rent to Bermudians, and it is in other states! We can’t only have it our way!

By: Chaos Theory

Chaos Theory — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 00:46:13 +0000

It is not quite that straight forward. Bermuda is not a signatory as it was not extended to Bermuda by the UK (most probably at our request). The reference to Cayman is a bit of a red herring as they were grandfathered when Jamaica when independent (Cayman was a dependency of Jamaica prior to its independence). The UK specifically reserved the right to extend the convention to any jurisdiction over which it had authority for international relations (i.e. like Bermuda).

While we could have a specific deal with Mass. for recognition, we would need to do that on a case by case basis (i.e. Vermont) on every other jurisdiction that incorporates the Geneva Convention into their rules. Also, as it is an international agreement, we would need to get permission from the UK (or an entrustment) for each one – which is plain stupid.

I say just ask the UK to extend the Geneva Convention to Bermuda, and tell all the taxi drivers and other complainers to go to hell (I expect the PLP/BIU/PC to object as a matter of course, but that would be standard operating procedure. )

By: Sandgrownan

Sandgrownan — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 00:15:42 +0000

Just sign the damn thing

By: M.C. Beauchamp

M.C. Beauchamp — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 00:11:56 +0000

Hilariously funny. Bermuda really is another world. Better sign that treaty or the Bermudian license won’t be worth the plastic it’s wrapped in outside Bermuda.

By: Vesper Lynn

Vesper Lynn — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:58:56 +0000

If you check the Massachusetts rules, drivers from Cuba can drive on their roads. CUBA! But not Bermudians!

By: Vesper Lynn

Vesper Lynn — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:57:10 +0000

Sampson nothing was really said except we are discussing this! What is there to discuss. Get the treaty done yesterday. Really, how many foreigners are coming her to rent cars. None! Only drivers who qualify for an insured vehicle will be able to use a car in Bermuda anyway. What’s the worry? We drive in the left side and the right side when we travel and we usually come back in one piece. Why should people from outside of Bermuda have a different standard?
Shaking my head.

By: Slow and Steady

Slow and Steady — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:51:12 +0000

If you don’t let our citizens drive in your jurisdiction we won’t let your citizens drive in ours. I’m surprised more states haven’t taken this position.

By: asampson

asampson — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 23:47:23 +0000

Did that actually say anything?