FOLLOWING complaints from several motorists who experienced challenges accessing their new Digital Certificates of Fitness after getting their vehicles tested at State-run depots, Island Traffic Authority (ITA) Director General Colonel Daniel Pryce says the “glitch” is being addressed by the nformation and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority of Jamaica.

One individual relating his experience to the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday, said after having completed the stated procedures during his visit to a depot in the Corporate Area, the digital certificate was still not received. Hours later, having left the depot with the assurance that the certificate would be sent via e-mail, the customer said upon querying with the Transport Ministry he was advised to return to the depot and request a physical printed copy as there were issues with the system.

However, Colonel Pryce, speaking with the Observer on Tuesday about the issues, said that should not have happened.

“That is an incorrect instruction. There is no printing of certificates of fitness. It is a totally digital system,” Pryce told the Observer.

“There have been a few instances where persons have not received the e-mail that should automatically be generated so that they could get that unique reference number that they would then input, along with the chassis number of that vehicle that they went in to have inspected, and that information is inputted at the portal called the CGDS (Certificate Generation and Distribution System),” the ITA director general explained.

“At each depot there is a QR code that the customer is able to scan which takes them right to that portal, and then that unique reference number that is generated and sent in the e-mail is then put in that portal along with the chassis number for you to generate your e-fitness — which looks just like your physical copy but is in digital form,” Pryce said further.

Addressing the instances when individuals were left empty-handed he said, “We experienced it at different service hubs across the island. I can only describe it as a glitch that is being dealt with now by the ICT Authority and so, hopefully, we would not be having these issues anymore. But [the] majority of persons who would have gone through the system would have had their certificate of fitness generated.”

He reiterated that the system is new and as such there will be some teething pains. “So we ask that you give us the kind of feedback so we know what the issues are, because if we don’t know then we can’t make the necessary adjustments so that you have a hassle-free experience when you go to the service hub.”

In thanking customers for their patience the ITA boss appealed for further understanding as the entity works to “iron out the little glitches that will come”.

Changes to Jamaica’s motor vehicle registration and fitness certification processes took effect on July 1 this year under the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025 and related measures passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Under the new regime motorists who meet the necessary criteria will benefit from extended validity periods for motor vehicle registration and fitness certificates. For new vehicles, fitness certificates will have a validity period of five years, while used vehicles less than 10 years old will receive a fitness certificate valid for three years. For vehicles older than 10 years, the annual renewal process will remain.

Vehicle registration will now have an option for two years, in addition to the options for six months and a year that currently exist.

The certifications are being issued electronically, eliminating the need for physical documents such as the Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate (MVRC) decal stickers, printed motor vehicle registrations, and fitness certificates.

There has been no increase in fees under the digital certificate of fitness regime, so motorists pay the same $4,500 for a fitness certificate for private motor cars and trucks, and $5,400 for trailers and tractors. The fees for motorcycles remain at $4,500 while the fees for public passenger and commercial carrier vehicles (cars or trucks) remain at $5,400.

The system has been touted as one presenting motorists with less hassle, shorter wait times, and more convenience. Digital fitness certificate fees can be purchased online or inline via Tax Administration Jamaica.

An e-mail address is required to receive a reference number so customers can verify their digital fitness certificates using that reference number and the vehicle’s chassis number. Assistance will be provided for customers with challenges.

In addition, the ITA says fitness certificates may be renewed up to 90 days before expiration. There is no grace period for digital fitness certificates.