#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