James says this fraudulent practice appears to be common knowledge to new driving students, who would often approach their instructors with dishonest offers in an attempt to procure their licences in no time.

This practice, James says, is deeply concerning as incompetent drivers can simply buy their licences and be on the road in a matter of days.

“In a week or two weeks' time, they would just come and just flash an ID and tell you, “I got the licence”. So it's really happening, and there are loads of it happening,” James says.

To his knowledge, the seasoned driving instructor notes only two places in Saint Lucia to print the licences.

“What is disturbing about the whole situation is [there are] only two areas. There's the Electoral Department and the Ministry [of Transport]. With the Ministry, you need the approval of the supervisor to get it printed. So I mean something is really happening that should not be happening,” James notes.

Recounting his experience with students, he says many expect instructors to be prepared to accept their dishonest proposals. In his own words, James says he does not involve himself in unscrupulous conduct.

“In my personal experience, you'd have a student come up to you and say, “Boss man, can I get a licence from you? Can I buy a licence from you?” And you tell them, “from my position, this is something I cannot entertain” he explained.

James notes that the counterfeits look extremely authentic to the naked eye. It is only the Ministry of Transport’s electronic system which can spot the difference between real and fake.

“They are very authentic, nothing different from that of what the ordinary person would get, signature is there and also all the details are there. There is no differentiation. I think the only thing probably is the system. Probably if the person goes to renew, sometimes they have issues where the details are not in the system, where they consider it to be fraudulent,” he explained.

James is asking the Ministry to remain vigilant and ensure these frauds are swiftly found and decommissioned.