Overhaul of blue licence plates regime coming amid concerns of misuse, lack of controls

Jamaica’s tax authority does not have an “accurate count” of demonstration or blue licence plates currently in circulation, the minister with responsibility for the transport sector has disclosed.

This admission by Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, comes amid what he describes as “growing concerns about the widespread misuse of demonstration plates”.

Demonstration licence plates are issued to car dealerships to facilitate the movement of vehicles from the wharf, showcase vehicles to customers and for promotional purposes such as automobile shows.

But according to Vaz, in many cases these plates “are not being used as intended under the Road Traffic Act and associated regulations”.

“There is a growing concern about the widespread misuse of demonstration plates. Disturbingly, there is credible evidence that demonstration plates are being exploited by individuals to facilitate criminal activities,” the minister said during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday.

Further, he said the issue is compounded by the fact that unlike other licence plates in circulation, the police are currently unable to trace demonstration plates through their ‘SmartChek’ system.

“The lack of control over this system poses a serious threat to public safety and national security,” Vaz said, adding that the misuse of ‘blue plates’ is also an area of revenue-loss for the Government.

“Tax Administration Jamaica does not have an accurate count of demonstration plates currently in circulation. This gap in oversight has created opportunities for cloning and unauthorised use by criminal elements.

To address these issues, Vaz disclosed that there will be a “total revamp” of the existing regime, which will be replaced by a web-based permit system that will allow car dealers to access demonstration plates as required.

The new system, which is projected to cost approximately $10 million and will require legislative changes, is expected to be in place “within a few months”.

In addition, there will be a total recall of all demonstration plates, the minister disclosed. A deadline for the plates to be handed in will be announced shortly.

Under the proposed new system the authorities will be better able to enforce and monitor compliance with little resources, Vaz said.

- Livern Barrett

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