The Government of Saint Lucia has reiterated that only vehicles bearing TX license plates are legally permitted to transport passengers for hire, as ride-hailing company Uber takes preliminary steps towards launching its services on the island.
Uber has begun inviting licensed taxi drivers to register and complete its onboarding process ahead of its anticipated entry into the Saint Lucian market.
The invitation, circulated in December 2025, encourages taxi operators to download the Uber Driver application and submit the required documentation so they can begin operating on the platform once the service officially launches.
The move signals Uber’s intention to expand into Saint Lucia, with the company targeting existing, licensed taxi operators rather than private motorists. Drivers who sign up early are expected to be among the first eligible to accept rides when operations commence.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire, confirmed that the government has been formally advised of Uber’s interest. He said the company wrote to him outlining its plans and requesting discussions with the authorities.
“I did receive a letter from Uber indicating that they had an interest in operating in Saint Lucia,” Dr Hilaire said. He explained that Uber had invited interested taxi drivers to sign up and had also proposed a meeting with government officials. “I agreed that we shall have a meeting in the new year to discuss it,” he added.
However, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that those discussions have not yet taken place. “No meeting has been held yet. And at the appropriate time, I will hear from them exactly what it is they want to say to me,” he said.
Dr Hilaire also disclosed that the National Taxi Union has raised concerns about Uber’s potential operations. According to him, the union submitted a detailed letter outlining its objections, which the government intends to review carefully.
“I have also received a letter from the National Taxi Union, a very interesting letter about it,” he stated. “At the appropriate time, we will discuss it. I would love to have, first of all, the Taxi Union to hear what their objections are. They wrote a few to me in the letter.”
While consultations remain pending, Dr Hilaire was unequivocal about the legal framework governing taxi operations in Saint Lucia. He stressed that the law clearly requires any vehicle offering transport for hire to be registered with a TX number plate.
“I will also say to Uber that the laws are very clear. You must have a TX plate,” he said.
He clarified that while the legislation does not prohibit drivers from using digital platforms that market or facilitate transport services, it strictly regulates who may legally carry passengers for payment.
“If Uber is a technology platform, I can say that the law does not prevent anybody from joining any service that can market and promote and facilitate their business,” Dr Hilaire explained. “I will hear what Uber says and then take it from there.”
The Deputy Prime Minister warned that operating outside the law would attract enforcement action.
“We tell that to our Saint Lucians. You cannot operate if you do not have a TX plate. You cannot,” he said. “If I have any evidence of that, we will act accordingly and the police will have to act about it. You have to have a TX plate.”
He concluded by emphasizing that while government policy is clear, all parties will be given an opportunity to present their views before any final determinations are made.
“We are very clear what the law says and what our policies are,” Dr Hilaire said. “But I am going to wait to hear what the parties say. We are going to discuss it, and we are going to act in the national interest as we usually do.”
Uber has not yet announced a formal launch date for its Saint Lucia operations, but officials say any entry into the market will have to comply fully with existing transport laws and regulations.