The House of Representatives passed legislation to implement changes to motor-vehicle registration and certificate of fitness services. The Bill, known as the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025, aligns with the Government’s action in streamlining processes for efficiency and economic development (SPEED).
Hon. Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, piloted the Bill and made remarks in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 1). According to Vaz, the policy changes propose "the establishment of new maximum validity periods for motor-vehicle registration and certificates of fitness, which are intended to support the Government of Jamaica’s planned action in streamlining processes for efficiency and economic development (SPEED)."
Key Provisions of the Bill
The Bill seeks to resolve inefficiencies associated with the current paper-based system. To that end, it facilitates smoother and more robust inter-agency data sharing.
The legislation provides for the electronic issuance of fitness and registration certificates. New motor vehicles will benefit from longer certificate validity periods, such as five years, which will ultimately reduce renewal costs for motorists. The Bill also aims to create new periods of validity for fitness and registration certificates for all motor vehicle categories. Motor-vehicle licenses may be granted for 24, 20, or 6-month periods.
Removal of Requirements and Penalties
The Bill removes the necessity to affix physical license decals to motor vehicles. Further, the requirement to physically present fitness and registration certificates upon demand to a constable is also eliminated. Vaz stated, "The removal of the requirement to affix physical licence decals to motor vehicles and physically presenting fitness and registration certificates upon demand to a constable will result in the removal of the penalties associated with the current requirements."
Drivers will no longer be penalized for not providing documents related to motor-vehicle registration and fitness for inspection. As Vaz noted, "Consequently, a driver will not be penalised for not providing documents related to motor-vehicle registration and fitness for inspection, and as such, the related offence expressed in subsection three of the principal act is removed."
Vaz clarified that this measure was designed to improve service delivery, and to facilitate a shift towards technology integration, not for revenue enhancement. He also emphasized that the Bill represents a portion of a comprehensive set of matters under consideration for revision of the Road Traffic Act and Regulations. The implementation date is July 21, 2025.
According to Vaz, "The Bill is being passed now to align with the Government’s broader initiative to enhance administrative efficiency and modernise road-user management."
Vaz said, "The Bill represents one element of the steps being taken by the Government to improve efficiency, not only with respect to the road matters but also road traffic and safety generally."
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