THE Government is moving to completely overhaul the system whereby car dealerships use demonstration plates, with Transport Minister Daryl Vaz declaring that the current arrangement has become a matter of national security.

“It is a matter of huge concern, not only as it relates to road use but national security,” Vaz said Wednesday, at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House.

There has been anecdotal evidence over the years that the holders of demonstration plates have been abusing them. Vaz highlighted “the [recent] terrible accident involving a Mercedes Benz [that was] coming from a party, killing four people, that had on a DC plate”.

The minister said some individuals were using the plates in the furtherance of criminal activity. He explained that the plate is utilised in the automobile trade to move vehicles from the wharf, and to demonstrate cars for sale, etc.

“[But] there’s a growing concern about the widespread misuse of demonstration plates in Jamaica. In many places these plates are not being used as intended under the Road Traffic Act and associated regulations,” said Vaz.

“Disturbingly, there is credible evidence that demonstration plates are being exploited by individuals to facilitate criminal activities. Compounding the issue, the police are currently unable to trace these plates through their smart check system,” the minister added.

Further, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) does not have an accurate count of the demonstration plates currently in circulation.

“This gap, in oversight, has presented opportunities for cloning and unauthorised use by criminal elements. As a result, the Government is losing revenue, and the lack of control over this system poses a serious threat to public safety and national security,” Vaz stressed.

He told the media briefing that the Government will address the problem by amending legislation to overhaul the system to support a more transparent and accountable regime.

He said the system will be revamped and replaced with a web-based permit system where dealers will be able to access the plates as required. This will allow the authorities to be better able to enforce and monitor compliance. The minister said the benefits will include:

* ease in administration, management and enforcement;

* dealer online application; and

* printed permits with QR code for enforcement verification.

Vaz disclosed that it will cost an estimated $10 million for the design and implementation of the management system, the total recall of the existing plates for which a deadline will be issued, submission of the legislative changes, and finalising the new fee structure.

He said it will take a few months to be implemented since the matter will have to go to tender.

Demonstration plates are popularly referred to as blue plates. They come with the designation DC for cars and DT for trucks and have long been abused in Jamaica. Issued by TAJ, they should only be affixed to motor vehicles with insurance coverage but this is reportedly often not the case as cited by persons involved in motor vehicle crashes with vehicles with the plates affixed.

Some persons are also known to have the plates affixed to the same vehicle for months at a time.

After the announcement of the pending changes by Vaz on Wednesday, a used car salesman told the Jamaica Observer that he was told by the holder of a set of plates that he could clone the plates for him at a cost.

“What was concerning for me is that the offer was made by a law enforcement official. I was uncomfortable with that and as such declined the offer,” he said.