Insurance & Documents
Every driver in The Bahamas must carry proof of both identity and insurance. These rules ensure that all vehicles on the road are properly licensed, insured, and accountable in the event of an accident.
Documents You Must Carry
When driving, you are legally required to have:
- A valid driver’s licence
- A current, active insurance certificate
These documents must be produced immediately when requested by a police officer [1] .
Validity of Insurance Policies
To licence a vehicle, the insurance certificate you present must be valid for at least six months from the date of application [2] .
In practice:
- Insurance certificates are issued for one year.
- A certificate that will expire in less than six months cannot be used to licence a vehicle.
- This rule ensures that only active, long-term insurance policies support licensed vehicles on the road.
A policy must be renewed annually in your birth month [3] .
Early cancellation is tightly restricted. A policy may only be cancelled within its term if the vehicle is:
- Scrapped
- Sold, or
- Transferred to another vehicle you own
If a policy is cancelled, the insured person must:
- Surrender the insurance certificate immediately to the insurer, and
- Notify the Road Traffic Controller within 5 days, providing proof of the reason [4] .
Failing to comply may lead to a fine of up to $2,500 or 3 months’ imprisonment. Insurers who fail to report cancellations must pay fines of not less than $5,000.
Failure to Produce Documents
If you cannot produce a valid licence or insurance certificate when asked:
- Police may impound your vehicle until valid documents are shown [5]
- A $300 release fee applies, in addition to presenting the proper documents
- Vehicles left impounded for more than one year may be sold by the Commissioner of Police
Why It Matters
Carrying your licence and insurance is not optional — it is a legal requirement. These documents prove you are properly licensed and insured in case of an accident. Failing to produce them can leave you without a vehicle, paying high fines, and at risk of further penalties.