19,000 Registered Vehicles in Provo, Gov’t puts FREEZE on new Car Dealerships

Deandrea Hamilton and Garfield Ekon

Editorial Staff

Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, (DMV) there are over 19,000 registered vehicles on the island of Providenciales alone, the figure far exceeds the island’s capacity for motorists.  It is why the TCI Government is working on, what is described as, a “comprehensive transportation plan.”

It is also why, effective September 15, 2024, the DMV activated a temporary moratorium on the issuance of Dealership Licenses which will be in effect for the next six months.

The master plan will not only encompass transportation on the roads of the country but on the ocean and in the air.  All modes of transport are under review, and proposals have already been pitched the Cabinet.

The magnitude and details of the plan are not yet released to the public by the Ministry of Home Affairs, but information from and trends observed by the DMV are vital to the packaged of solutions expected to be put forth a more efficient, safe and sustainable traffic system.

Heavy congestion in Providenciales, particularly during peak drives times, has raised concern about the time it takes to commute from one place to the next.  And it’s getting worse.

An absence of public transportation, low uptake of the Community Cab concept and increased distrust of illegal jitneys has literally driven the need for private vehicle ownership.

The vehicles of choice are the compact models coming out of Japan.

The demand for these low cost, efficient options has precipitated a ballooning dealership sector which the government is now attempting to corral.

A statement issued on Monday September 16 said, “During this time, no new applications for dealership licenses will be accepted.

The DMV has ceased accepting new applications as, and any applications submitted after September 15, will not be processed.”

The purpose of this moratorium is to allow the DMV to review and revise its current licensing procedures to better serve the public and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Individuals with queries, and for those who need further particulars, are being encouraged to contact the DMV at 649-338-3202.