KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Transport Authority (TA) is urging individuals to use its online portal to submit applications for the 2023/2024 licensing period.

The authority commenced accepting applications for new and renewal of road licences for public passenger vehicles (PPV) and commercial carriers on February 13.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Friday, the authority’s Managing Director, Ralston Smith, said that the entity has embarked on a Digital Transformation Project, which aims to leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to increase customer satisfaction and improve on its processes, products and services.

“This project includes digital licensing, which is being rolled out for the 2023/24 licensing period, smart monitoring and mobile automated service delivery,” he said, noting that the project should be completed within the new financial year.

Corporate Communications Manager at the TA, Merdina Callum, in explaining the online licensing process, said individuals are invited to apply from their smart phone or laptop computer at www.ta.org.jm.

“If persons do not have the devices to do so, they may proceed to the TA’s office at 107 Maxfield Avenue, which is equipped with a kiosk that has several tablets available for use by the licensees to complete the process,” she informed.

She advised individuals, who are applying for the first time, to ensure that “they come with a phone that has data or is able to access the TA’s Wi Fi.”

MCallum said that customer service representatives are on hand to assist in completing the applications.

She noted that applicants, who do not have an email address, will be asked to create one.

“If they do have one and are coming to apply online, they must remember the password because once the registration has been completed and they go to apply online, they will need the password to get on the system to complete the application,” she pointed out.

Once the application has been completed online, the applicant will receive notification that the TA is in receipt of the document.

The process takes five to seven business days except where the licensee is applying for express service of 24 or 72 hours, which may be done at an additional cost of $3,000 and $5,000, respectively.

When the process has been completed, the applicant will receive notification that the sticker is ready for pick up.

Once it is noted in the system that the sticker has been collected, the road licence will be emailed to the licensee.

Although the licensees may print the road licence to have on hand to show to the police or TA route inspectors, they also have the option to produce the electronic copy.

Callum added that the route inspectors or the police will be able to use their own devices to scan the QR code, which is a new feature on the sticker that will provide all the information needed to verify its authenticity.