New template in place

AS Government seeks to clamp down on illegal licence plates on the island’s roads, especially for security purposes, those in the business of manufacturing the plates now have a set of rules and guidelines to follow, including being registered.

A group of manufacturers heard about the new rules that are clearly outlined in the Provisions under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2017, which are Relative to Manufacturers of Registration Number Plates, when they attended a meeting with officials at the Collymore Rock, St. Michael-based Co-operators General Insurance, on Tuesday.

Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley; Permanent Secretary, Simone Rudder; Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Anthony Wiltshire; Chairman of the Barbados Transport Authority, Abdul Pandor; and Acting Chief Licensing Officer Virgil Knight, were among the officials that attended.

According to the Act, no person shall manufacture registration number plates unless they are registered with the Licensing Authority. The law also states that any manufacturer who does not follow the rules, is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1 000, or to imprisonment for a term of 12 months, or both.

Minister Lashley stressed that the steps to register the manufacturers of registration number plates is needed, because there are too many illegal licence plates causing a security concern.

“People are buying vehicles, going on the road, committing crimes, and there is a problem. The officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force are also in support. This is the first step with respect to moving towards compliance.

“The law cannot be perfect, but this is a step in the right direction. The Act was very silent in relation to the manufacturers of licence plates. It is a policy decision, and we are hoping that from now on, that there will be full co-operation from manufacturers,” Lashley said.

A person making an application must present to the Licensing Authority, the name and address of the person, business or company to be registered, in addition to the certificate of registration issued under the Registration of Business Names Act, Cap.317, or the certificate of incorporation issued under the Companies Act, Cap 308 in the case of a registered business or a company, and any other relevant particulars that the Authority may require.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Chief Licensing Officer pointed out that the Act also outlines that the Licensing Authority shall, on receiving proof of payment of the fee, issue a certificate of registration.

He said a certificate of registration issued is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue. Knight also made it clear that the Licensing Authority shall keep a record of the manufacturers of registration number plates registered under the Act.

The Act also states that a manufacturer of number plates shall not issue a number plate in respect of a motor vehicle to any person unless that person presents an identification card, a valid driving licence, a valid registration card evidencing payment of the relevant tax in respect of the motor vehicle, and a valid certificate of insurance in respect of the motor vehicle.

The manufacturers present at the meeting raised a number of concerns and queries. Some manufacturers pointed out that they hoped the fee, which is yet to be determined, will be affordable and manageable, especially for small business operators.

There were also queries about the font size to be used on the plates. One manufacturer also wanted to know how the law will keep track of unregistered manufacturers.

“The idea is that the Licensing Authority will use an administrative arm to Police, and to follow up. We will do our own investigation and as time goes on and technology becomes available, we will do what we have to do to make sure that we don’t tarnish or destroy any manufacturer’s reputation.

“The documents that would be produced to you for you to manufacture the plates will become a part of your transaction for that plate and that will assist us with our investigation when we come to inspect your premises, to verify that you were the actual manufacturer,” Knight explained. (AH)