MOTOR VEHICLES

If you are coming to Trinidad on Assignment, some companies offer vehicles to employees. This most likely will be some form of leased vehicle or company rental where maintenance and insurance are included. If you are making the move independently you may want to look at all the options to suit your style and budget. Trinidad has a diverse offering of both new car dealerships and flourishing foreign used market.

The major dealerships cover the top brands, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Porsche, Honda, Kia etc. I have included the links below for easy reference. If your pocket is a bit more budget conscious, you may want to take a look at some foreign used options, which offer similar brans with low mileage, for a much cheaper price. Alternatively you can search for used vehicles in the local paper, but this can be risky. Using an approved dealer or verified used site like www.trinicarsforsale.com will save you the unwanted hassle.

Foreign Used Dealers: 

·         Japan Motors: http://www.japanmotorstt.com/

·         D&D Auto: http://dndautoworld.net/v2/

New car Dealers:

·         http://lifestylemotors.com/

·         http://www.massymotors.com/

·         http://www.bmw.tt/tt/en/

·         http://www.classicmotorstt.net/ku/autos

DRIVING IN TRINIDAD

To drive in Trinidad and Tobago you need a valid international driver's permit or one issued in the United States of America, UK, Bahamas, Canada, France or Germany. You are permitted to drive on your valid home country driving license for 90 days from the first date of entry, after which you will need to secure a local TT license. The country has a network of both multi-lane highways, and secondary access roads in addition to rural routes. Traffic moves on the left side. Fuel is subsidised by the government, and is relatively cheap.

Useful Tips:

·         If your Drivers Permit is not in English, please secure a certified translation prior to your arrival to Trinidad. This will ensure that you will just have to do the written exam. If not you will need to complete the entire process, road test included.

·         Speed Limit: Built up areas - 55 km and Highways - 80 km

·         Seatbelts are required for drivers and front seat passengers.

Click the link below for direct access to the Highway Code and for exam preparation to take the regulations test.

http://www.ttregs.com/

HEALTH CARE

On the Island, both private health care facilities and public health care facilities are available. While heath care at the private facilities can be a bit pricey, public health care is free and is provided on a walk in basis. If you are receiving current medical care you have the option of returning to your home country, or seeking care at the nearest point of medical excellence in Miami which is just a 4 hour plane ride away. Private medical facilities are better than the public clinics and hospitals. If you have existing international coverage from a medical provider such as Cigna, this is accepted at the private hospitals. I have included the links below to some private institutions:

West Shore Private Hospital: http://westshoreprivatehospital.com/home.html

St Clair Medical: http://medcorpltd.com/web2/

St Augustine Medical Hospital: http://www.saphtt.com/services.aspx

If you are interested in getting local personal medical insurance here are some options:

Pan American Insurance: http://www.palig.com/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago

Guardian General Insurance: http://trinidad.myguardiangroup.com/guardian-general-insurance/

Beacon Insurance: http://www.beacon.co.tt/

HOUSING

Trinidad has a thriving real estate market, with quite a number of options for both rentals and purchasing. If you are using a Destination Services Agent, they can be extremely helpful in not only finding a property for you, but also in negating with the landlord on your behalf. Rentals are common throughout the island, but most expat communities are located in the western areas of the country. Utilities are usually the responsibility of the tenant, but most leases come with the water rates included. Westmoorings, Maraval, Cascade, St. Anns, and Glencoe are some of the popular areas and are centrally located just minutes from the capital. I have included some links to some well-known real estate websites that offer a variety of property options:

http://www.tuckerrealestate.com/

http://www.terracaribbean.com/trinidad

http://www.ecsrealestate.com/

SECURITY & PERSONAL SAFETY

As in most major cities around the world, there are high levels of violent crime especially in parts of the capital Port of Spain. Robbery and other crimes targeting tourists have occurred but the immediate environs experiences a higher crime rate than any other part of Trinidad. You should take the right precautions, such as keeping valuables out of sight and being vigilant in crowded places.

Here are a few useful tips:

• Do not frequent isolated areas after dark and follow local advice about areas to be visited.
• Ask for directions to your destination before leaving your home or hotel.
•  Follow directional signs on the roads and at attractions, and only use official tour guides.
• Do not carry excess cash or valuables. Use Safety deposit boxes where provided.
• Be aware of your surroundings; new surroundings call for alertness no matter where you are.

If you observe anything suspicious or anything For Emergencies situation, call: 

- Police: 999

- Fire and Ambulance: 990

- Reporting Crime: 555

- Ambulance: 811

- T&T Coast Guard: 634-4440

- The Office Of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM): 640-1285

TAXATION

If you have been issued a work permit to be able to work in Trinidad and Tobago, you will be liable for paying taxes to the government for income earned while in country. This is facilitated by the local authorities through the Board of Inland Revenue. For most persons coming into the country on International Assignment, this is usually handled by the local employing entity on the assignee's behalf. Trinidad does have some double tax treaties in place with certain countries like the UK, and if your taxes aren't being remitted on your behalf and you are tasked with having to do this yourself, there are a number of local agencies that can assist.

·         Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) - http://www.pwc.com/tt/en/

·         Deliotte Trinidad and Tobago - http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_TT/tt/index.htm

For additional reading here are some links to some useful websites:

http://finance.gov.tt/services/income-tax/paying-your-taxes/

http://www.ird.gov.tt/

                                    

PETS

Fido and Whiskers!!

To a lot of people, pets are family and an important part of move. There are regulations regarding pets in Trinidad and Tobago as all animals and animal products entering the country must do so under the conditions of an import permit, which must be applied for prior to arrival. Persons should be aware that it might take several months for pets to qualify for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. 

There are three categories of entry for dogs and cats into Trinidad and Tobago.

·         Direct entry without quarantine.

·         Entry with 6 months quarantine.

·         Entry with at least 1 month quarantine.

Dogs and cats from the following countries can obtain direct entry into Trinidad and Tobago without having to go into quarantine or to have rabies vaccination or serum antibody testing: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Dominica Great Britain (United Kingdom), Jamaica, Luxemburg, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Sweden. I have included a few links to some websites that have further details on the process:

http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Trinidad_Tobago.cfm

http://www.ttcgnewyork.com/regulationsregardingpets.html

If you are looking for a doggie hotel you can contact the TTSPCA and the vet or the
Northwest Vet on Mucarapo 1-868-622-3356.