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

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#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

TCI News

DDME and TCI Regiment Promote Disaster Resilience on Grand Turk  

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media

 

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment joined forces today at the Graceway Grand Turk Supermarket, hosting a public awareness event to mark the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

The interactive pop-up aimed to educate residents about preparedness and resilience, aligning with this year’s global theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”

The theme underscores a growing global message — that investing in prevention and preparedness is far more effective than paying for recovery. The DDME team and Regiment officers shared tips on community readiness, storm safety, and individual action, encouraging residents to take simple steps that can save lives and reduce damage during natural disasters.

According to the international campaign, disasters are becoming “more frequent, more costly, and more devastating,” with direct losses topping $200 billion annually. Experts warn that without urgent investment in resilience, such risks may soon become uninsurable.

The global statement also highlighted that every dollar spent on resilience saves four dollars in avoided losses, urging governments and donors to scale up disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and integrate resilience into all aspects of climate and development planning.

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The Capital Without Adequate Borders: A Nation at Risk

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Turks and Caicos, October 14, 2025 – Imagine this: the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk, unguarded, exposed, and left to chance. At a time when our government is overwhelmed with competing priorities for the development of a fragile small island nation, one question demands our immediate attention: are we doing enough to ensure the highest level of maritime security for our Capital?

The reality is sobering. In my opinion, we are not!

In this fight against crime, are we turning over every stone and closing up every loophole?

When pressure mounts in Providenciales, criminals inevitably search for safer havens. Grand Turk and our sister island are left vulnerable. Sporadic interceptions of illegal vessels in the outer islands only highlight the cracks in our defenses.

A once vibrant, self-sustaining community, rich in culture, resources, and natural beauty, now sits in limbo, weighed down by successive governments promises that never seem to materialize.

We cannot afford to neglect the Capital while focusing only on Providenciales. A strong, permanent maritime presence in Grand Turk is no longer optional; it is essential. Without it, our porous borders remain open, our reefs and marine life unprotected, and our sovereignty dangerously compromised.

If you don’t have protected borders, you don’t have a country.

We rarely hear about interception of private yachts breaking our laws, but practically, every month private yachts slip into our harbor, often unsure where to dock, anchor, or declare their arrival. Too often they are seen coming ashore in dinghies, offloading what appears to be garbage or unknown content. It’s unchecked, unmonitored, and unquestioned. Who is watching? Who is enforcing?

Do our customs officers have the tools to respond to vessels at all hours? Are inspections being carried out? Are foreign mariners held to the same standards as locals, required to obtain licenses before fishing, whale watching or exploring our waters?

Without having the proper infrastructure in place or private marinas and oversight, they drop anchor directly on our reefs, destroying in minutes what took nature centuries to create.

And what about security? With no maritime unit based in Grand Turk or Salt Cay, the chances of intercepting illegal vessels smuggling drugs, weapons, or human cargo are slim to none. We are in effect, leaving our doors wide open.
We must ask, does every relevant department have the necessary tools to do their job? Maritime, Fisheries, DECR, Customs and the like.

We must act urgently. This is not only about enforcement; it is about survival. If we remain passive, our outer islands risk becoming playgrounds for traffickers, illegal immigrants and criminals.

So, what is the way forward?

  1.  Extend and Refurbish the Salt Cay boat Ro-Ro dock in Grand Turk to accommodate small vessels.
  2. Repair the broken ramp at Jack Shack, creating proper maritime and first responder access.
  3. Since there are no private marinas in Grand Turk, implement a fair system of mooring and anchoring fees, applied equally to local tour operators and visiting yachts, as is standard worldwide.
  4. Erect a more visible sign near the Customs office identifying their location.
  5. Provide secured docking for maritime and DECR vessels perhaps between the two existing docks, ensuring a rapid-response presence at all times.
  6. Reestablish our maritime branch in Grand Turk along with a proper seaworthy vessel.
  7. We must continue to intensify pressure on the UK and demand accountability for its actions, or lack thereof in safeguarding our external security.

These are costly but not luxuries. They are necessities. The cost of inaction will be far greater in the long run than the investment required today.

On a more positive note, we must also look for opportunities to celebrate even small wins like the recent headway being made on crime control across these islands. Nevertheless, we must not become complacent and find ways to channel our complaints and dismay into action.

It has been nearly a decade now since I relocated back to the Grand Turk community, cherishing the warmth, resilience, and hope that defines this beautiful island. But some truths can no longer be ignored. Our voices cannot remain silent.

We cannot wait for the government alone to tell us what we need. We must demand it. We must lead it. The time for complacency is over. The time for action is now.

Ed Forbes

Concerned Citizen

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TCI News

Overcrowding at Grand Turk Prison Now 30% Above Capacity, NSC Warns

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Turks and Caicos, October 14, 2025 – Overcrowding at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Grand Turk has reached crisis levels, taking center stage at the most recent meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

The session, co-chaired by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier Charles Washington Misick, heard a sobering report from the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities on the worsening conditions at the country’s only correctional facility.

Officials revealed that HMP Grand Turk currently houses around 131 inmates in a facility built to accommodate just 104, representing an estimated 30 percent overcapacity. Structural damage from previous hurricanes and years of wear have further reduced usable space, compounding safety and management challenges.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office have repeatedly warned that the prison’s overcrowding could undermine rehabilitation and security efforts — and now, the NSC has declared modernization of correctional infrastructure a national priority.

The Council approved immediate-term relief measures and agreed to a comprehensive review of the prison estate, aimed at identifying targeted infrastructure investments to meet the demands of a growing inmate population.

The NSC meeting, held on September 25, 2025, brought together the highest-level officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ security apparatus, including the Deputy PremierAttorney GeneralCommissioner of PoliceNational Security AdvisorCommanding Officer of the RegimentDirector General of Border Force, and NSS Threat Lead.                                                                                                                          Also in attendance were the Hon. Minister and Permanent Secretary of Public Safety and Utilities, alongside the Superintendent of the Department of Correctional Services, who presented the update on the prison’s capacity challenges and operational concerns.

Multi-Agency Coordination and Maritime Security

Beyond the correctional system, members were also briefed by the Unified Command on ongoing multi-agency security operations, including efforts to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement and border protection entities.

Discussions also turned to the legal framework underpinning joint operations, with members emphasizing the need for coherent inter-agency coordination in tackling transnational threats, particularly those related to illicit migration and maritime crime.

The Commanding Officer of the Turks and Caicos Regiment presented plans for a new maritime operational base and docking facility, envisioned as a command-and-control center that would bolster the country’s ability to respond to maritime incidents, search-and-rescue operations, and natural disasters.

Liquor Licensing Reforms and Regional Summit

The Permanent Secretary for National Security briefed the Council on the review of the current liquor licensing regime, with recommendations for a full restructuring and digital redesign of the licensing process to enhance oversight and efficiency. The Council supported continued reform work on the system.

In a forward-looking development, the NSC also endorsed plans for the Northern Caribbean Security Summit, to be hosted in Turks and Caicos under the theme “Dismantling Illicit Maritime Activities Through Enhanced Cooperation.” The summit aims to convene regional and international partners to deepen collaboration in addressing shared maritime security challenges, from smuggling to illegal migration and environmental crimes.

Security at a Crossroads

Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier Misick jointly reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the country’s national security infrastructure and coordination mechanisms, describing the discussions as “critical to maintaining the safety, stability, and sovereignty of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

With the prison operating well beyond its intended capacity, and a surge in complex maritime and border challenges, the NSC’s focus on modernization and reform signals an urgent recalibration of priorities.

As the Turks and Caicos Islands position themselves as a leader in regional cooperation on security, one message from the Council was clear: the nation must invest now — in its institutions, its infrastructure, and its resilience — to sustain safety and justice in the years ahead.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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