TCI: Introduction of New Road Traffic and Motor Vehicle Driving Laws

#Providenciales, October 29, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In keeping with the Ministry of Home Affairs Public Utilities and Transportation’s mission to provide services that are accessible and delivered at a high standard to ensure the connectivity, well-being and safety of the Turks and Caicos Islands society, a number of important changes to the law have been made.

In this regard, the general public is hereby notified that as of November 4, 2019, drivers, vehicle and business owners, where applicable, will be required to adhere to the following:

1 – Have two licence plates issued by the Road Safety Department, coinciding with the date of their next birthday. The vehicle owner will be responsible for firmly attaching one licence plate at the front of the vehicle and the other at the back. Licence plates are assigned to drivers and must be transferred to any new vehicle that may own in the future. 

2 – Pay the prescribed Licence Plate Fees. Particular attention should be made of the fact that current vehicle and licence plate owners will be issued two licence plates for a total fee of $20.   Meanwhile, new vehicle owners will be issued two licence plates at a cost of $40.  

3 – Establish handicap parking spaces in the numbers and at the locations specified. This applies to all Government Departments and agencies, statutory bodies, churches, and private business in the Islands that are open to the general public.

Establishments that have 1 to 25 parking spaces are required to reserve 1 space for handicap permit owners; businesses with 26 to 50 parking spaces are required to reserve 2 spaces; businesses with 51 to 75 parking spaces are required to reserve 3 spaces; businesses with 76 to 100 parking spaces are required to reserve 4 spaces, and those with 101 and over parking spaces are required to reserve 5% of their total parking spaces for handicap permit owners.

4 – Apply for a handicap cap permit. In order to be considered for the issuance of a handicap permit and be compliant with the laws governing parking in the designated spaces. The fee for a handicap permit is $30. Once issued, permit owners will be required to display their permits when the vehicle they are driving, occupies a designated handicap parking space.

In addition to the above, the following new and or amended offences shall apply:

1-      An increase in fine from $200 to $500 as well as an increase in prison term from three months to six months for being found guilty of driving a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence on a second and subsequent offence.

2-      Parking in a designated handicap parking space without the required permit – $250 fine.

3-      Failure to wear head gear while riding a motor vehicle – $250 fine.

4-      Failure to provide the designated number of handicap parking spaces – summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.   

Attention should also be given to the introduction of a new service that provides for special on-site inspections for businesses owning 10 or more vehicles.  The fees for this new service are as follows:

10 vehicles – $250

11 to 20 vehicles – $400

20 to 30 vehicles – $540

30 to 40 vehicles -$680

40 plus vehicles – $1500  

Likewise, all individuals whose presence in the Islands is limited by time in any way because they are either work permit holders, residence permit holders, contract workers and the like, are advised that they will be issued driving licences that will expire three months after their period of legal residency.    

Finally, as of October 28, 2019, all vehicles entering the Islands will be required to be inspected and have licence plates affixed, prior to leaving the port.  Inspection days will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week.

The above are all symbolic of the Government’s efforts to:

• Improve safety on our roads,
• Encourage compliance,
• Extend special privileges to those who need them, and        
• Facilitate joined up governance with internal and external agencies and departments, to mitigate national security risks at all levels.

The Ministry and Road Safety Department looks forward to the patience and support of the public as it works diligently to achieve these initiatives and outcomes.

For further information, please contact the Road Traffic Department.

Release: TCIG