New changes to the Traffic Law to allow motorists to renew their vehicle licences without the need for a new certificate of roadworthiness are now in effect.
Premier Alden McLaughlin made the announcement Wednesday as he outlined what the process will entail as he addressed the daily COVID-19 press briefing.
He said the changes will allow vehicles that ordinarily would require an inspection in order to have their licence renewed will not be subject to that requirement.
“This applies to 1), vehicles with an expired inspection between 1 February and 29 April, and 2) vehicles with an inspection about to expire between 30 April and 30 June. These vehicles will have their inspection certificate automatically extended to allow them to go online and renew for either three or six months. Persons should have the insurance up to date and can do this by calling or emailing the respective insurance companies separately,” he said.
The inspection certificate and the logbook have to be uploaded online, he said.
New 2019 and 2020 vehicles bought through a local dealer can receive an inspection certificate and be licensed by dropping off the paperwork at the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing dropbox.
Those with used or pre-owned vehicles just purchased and imported should email [email protected] to receive instructions, the premier added.
There were some complaints about problems using the DVDL website, but the premier said the site was being tested Wednesday and should be operational.
He said extra efforts had been made to accommodate an anticipated increase in applications.
McLaughlin also addressed concerns by some members of the public who were unable to use the online system to renew licences.
“We’ve had these investigated and found that these are persons who are outside the two categories that I mentioned above in terms of expired registrations or … inspection certificates about to expire,” he said.
He pointed out that in one of the complaints, it was discovered that the vehicle in question had not been licensed for the past five years and, in another case, the vehicle had not been licensed for over eight months.
“DVDL will not accept this extended expiry without re-inspecting the vehicle,” he said.
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I have a personalised number plate and the online application process does not accept this. I tried calling the number of their help desk given in the automated response I got to my e mail and the operator was not answering at 8.45am this morning. I also apparently need an “ESID” # and the e mail said to call the help desk to get it. My e mail asked if I could deliver the documents to the drop box with a chq but it seems from the automated response it will not be answered like my phone call.