Multi-Agency Team Looking at Implementation of Motor-Vehicle Fitness Changes

A multi-agency team, led by the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport has met to determine the steps and actions to be taken to implement the changes to the motor-vehicle fitness certificate.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 9) post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House.

Under the new measures, which were announced by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his contribution to the Budget Debate on March 27, the first certificate of fitness for new vehicles will be issued for up to five years.

For used vehicles that are 10 years or less, the validity period will be three years, and for vehicles older than 10 years, the current yearly renewal will remain.

In addition, there will be a new two-year renewal option for motor-vehicle registration.

Minister Vaz noted that amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations will be required to give effect to the changes.

“The projected implementation time for this is within the next two to three months. Between June and July is what I have mandated my Permanent Secretary,” he indicated.

“Let me again, for clarity, state that there will be no fee increase in this policy change, so the extension of the time for your registration and your certificate of fitness will not come at an additional cost,” he said.

Mr. Vaz informed that the team is working on a technology solution to integrate fitness and registration, enabling the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to access all necessary vehicle information via the licence plate.

“The good thing is that we are going to use technology to drive this, so the days of the stickers on your car and the paper certificate of fitness and all that goes with it are a thing of the past. We’re going to use this opportunity now since there has to be legislative changes to just do everything at one time,” Mr. Vaz said.