Over 3000 Vehicles can be fined for wrong or no license plates says, DMV Director

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, June 27, 2022 – The grace period for incorrect license plates or vehicles partially outfitted with the new Turks and Caicos Islands license plates is over.  The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) last week issued a notice which warned that vehicle owners need to either collect their plates, order the proper plates or put on the license plates they already have at the front and rear of vehicles.

“Vehicles that are currently carrying plats that do not fit the description as outlines are not in compliance with the Road Traffic Ordinance.  Licensees are therefore asked to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles  to obtain the correct license plates immediately, failure to do so may result in drivers being ticketed,” said the notice.

Wilbur Caley, Director of the DMV said there are estimated to be over 18,000 motor vehicles in the islands and some 15,400 plates have been issued, with only around 180 plates to be collected in Grand Turk  and a few still waiting for their owners in Providenciales.

“Some of those or a majority of the remaining 3000 have not come in to renew or license their vehicles and are currently driving around with a red or other colour or no plate on their vehicle.”

This is against the law and carries a $300 fine, said Caley.

“We have sufficient plates to issue to persons.  WE have approval to issue temporary plates where we don’t have the substantive plate in stock,” explained the Director.

This is important to state as there was a time when the Road Safety Department could not keep pace with the demand for license plates once the new ones were introduced in 2019.  Road Traffic police officers would stop motorists without plates, view paper work to ensure there was payment and a licensed driver was awaiting their new plates, but now that grace period is over.

“There are a number of vehicle owners driving around that have not come in to have their plates changed.  We have stock to issue those plates.”

Office hours at the department are Monday through Thursdays, 8:30am – 3:30pm and on Fridays, the offices closes earlier at 3pm.