Drivers Want Money Back and demand Probe after DMV Court Ruling 

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 14, 2023 – A mass of reactions continue to pour in after the verdict in a landmark case that will likely affect how driver’s licenses are distributed in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Ranging from anger to incredulity to gratitude, residents had a lot to say after Wilkie Arthur, TCI Resident took the DMV and the Attorney General’s Chambers to court following an attempt to force him to pay for 11 years of fees on his unrenewed license.  Those fees were incurred while he was incarcerated and thus had no reason to renew his license.   Arthur won the case.

“This department needs to be investigated.  This department needs to be investigated thoroughly, somebody needs to go in there and see how far back this was done and somebody needs to be held accountable.  I don’t care if it was ten years back.  I don’t care who was in power.  I don’t care who was the director.  This is injustice.”

After publishing the ruling, the Magnetic Media team was inundated with public reaction, which largely expressed outrage at the ‘nonsense’ rule which has been enforced, as being the law, for years.

Some residents pointed out the illogical nature of the rule: “That man didn’t have a car so he was not driving, it’s as simple as that. Why would I renew my driver’s license if I don’t have a car?”, one resident asked.

Another resident agreed that the practice was an undue burden to residents: “Stop trying to kill the poor man.  We don’t have money to back pay for licenses.  If I didn’t have a license for 10 years that means I wasn’t driving.  Now I have a car.  I need my license, what sense is somebody going to renew their license if they don’t have a car? Stupid!”

Others said many had been victims of similar practices: “These are the kinds of things that are happening to us here but we are not as bold – These things are wrong!  It’s treason that’s all I can say– If you’re going to lead a country, don’t bleed it,”  chided one resident.

Another resident celebrated: “These things have been going on for a long time and I am so happy that he (Wilkie) came out and pointed that out for us. Now everybody needs to go get their licenses and they can’t charge you a thing.”

DMV Director Wilbur explained during the hearing that currently TCI laws speak to the renewal of a driver’s license being back-dated to its date of expiration which was interpreted as including the annual fee.  The interpretation of that law has affected Turks and Caicos Islanders for years as residents have found themselves facing large sums for renewal after extended periods, despite having legitimate reasons not to have paid the fees including illness, emigration, lack of a car, etc.

Some residents contended that the interpretation was just that, an interpretation made policy, but not truly law.  Caley eventually admitted that there is no law governing the Department of Motor Vehicles that speaks specifically of back fees.

Residents expressed anger at this and called for criminal charges to be brought, citing all the residents who would have had to pay large amounts of cash over the years.

“How many people have you done this to?” one questioned.  “That’s operating above the law.”

Another chimed in: “All those who have paid money before should request their money back from government.”

“I wish everybody could find their receipts— any department that made them do any back-paying, go and report it and get your money back.”  It was a sentiment repeated by the majority of respondents over and over.

Others cautioned the government not to make the practice into a law and chided them for allowing policies like this to flourish.

“This is all common sense.  You don’t know what’s good for your people or how to help your people or ease up some burdens.  That’s what the people put you there for.”

“I want somebody to send this to the Attorney General’s office, from the top straight down you should be ashamed of yourselves!”, one resident said.

The government has not commented yet on how exactly this will alter how licenses are given out, but the court has made its position known, awarding the case to Arthur who is now going through the process of getting his license.