MATTERS relating to requirements for a motor vehicle to be operated on roads are addressed in clauses 7-20 of the new Road Traffic Bill, which is currently being reviewed by a joint select committee (JSC) of Parliament.

The new Bill requires that licence plates are to be issued in respect of the vehicle, in contrast to the existing provision that the registration plates are assigned to the owner of the vehicle. However, the duration of the licence and the grace period of one month for renewal will remain in place.

The Bill also incorporates a new restriction on motor vehicle licence renewal, in which the renewal will not be affected if any outstanding tickets, fines or penalties remain unpaid by the applicant/owner.

No significant changes are made to the classification of motor vehicles. However, the category of “invalid carriages” and the upper weight limit for vehicles classified as motorcycles have been removed.

A distinct provision is created to set out the restrictions on the use of motor vehicles, with the requirement for fitness, registration, licensing and insurance coverage expressly stated.

The requirement for insurance coverage and the proof thereof was not included in the current Road Traffic Act, as it is addressed under the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act, but enforcement under the Act (traffic ticketing) was also not available, previously.

The provisions relating to the application for, issue of, and revocation of a certificate of fitness have been simplified. The details of the application process, the fee structure and the requirements to be met for a vehicle to be certified as fit, will be included in the regulations which will follow passage of the Bill in Parliament.

Separate provisions are included for motor vehicle registration and motor vehicle licensing, to differentiate the process as separate transactions and requirements.

Registration is relevant upon the first licensing transaction involving a motor vehicle. The licensing of a motor vehicle relates to the annual licensing duties that are payable for the ongoing operation and use of the vehicle on roads, as indicated by the issue of a licence decal to be displayed on the vehicle.

The Motor Vehicle Register will now be described as the National Vehicle Register, and is to include information on all vehicles in the country, whether used on or off public roads.

An application for a motor vehicle licence is to be accompanied by proof of motor vehicle insurance, in addition to the certificate of fitness and the payment that is now required.

Editors note

The information used in this article was made available by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, through the joint select committee of Parliament. The committee meets again on Wednesday, October 15, at Gordon House, Duke Street, Kingston.