Over 3,000 vehicle owners have already benefited from the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) six-month amnesty which started 29 April and runs until Friday, November 1, 2019.

Of that number, 2,399 vehicles which had expired registration at the start of the amnesty have subsequently been relicensed by owners. Six hundred and seventy five (675) vehicle owners utilised the amnesty to suspend their vehicles’ registration, and one hundred and ninety four (194) vehicle owners voluntarily terminated their vehicles from the register.

The amnesty provides for a waiver of fees for persons who have accrued a backlog for unlicensed vehicles. It is also aimed at reducing the number of derelict and abandoned vehicles across the country.

Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Hon. Joey Hew states that the amnesty is a temporary relief that the Government is providing for those who have accrued fees going back to Hurricane Ivan in some cases. “Vehicles owners should make use of this waiver so that they can come back into compliance,” he notes. 

Director of Licensing at DVDL, Mr. David Dixon says that once the amnesty process ends, customers will no longer be able to benefit from the write off of fees. “We have a month to go before the end of the amnesty so we want to encourage persons to make use of the opportunity to catch up with their back fees without costs or penalty,” he emphasises.

After the amnesty ends on November 1, all vehicles with expired registration will be terminated in an effort to clean up the DVDL’s register.

In addition, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service will continue to undertake enforcement efforts to ensure proper registration of vehicles pursuant to the Road Traffic Law and Regulations. Those motorists found in violation will be prosecuted.

There are several ways for vehicle owners to benefit under the amnesty.

Persons who wish to relicense, sell or transfer ownership of their vehicle can visit one of DVDL’s offices to have their vehicle inspected. They can then relicense and avoid paying the fees that have accrued during the unlicensed period. Customers who choose to relicense, sell or transfer ownership are reminded to keep their registration plates.

Those customers who have vehicles that are not roadworthy can visit one of DVDL’s locations to suspend their vehicle until repairs are complete and it is ready for use. Customers who suspend their vehicle’s registration should also keep their plates.

Where a vehicle is not in the owner’s possession, such as circumstances where it may have been destroyed in a natural disaster, owners can drop those plates off at any DVDL location if they still have them. If owners do not possess plates for vehicles that are no longer in their possession, they can visit the DVDL Crewe Road location or contact 945-8344 for further guidance.

The DVDL encourages all owners of derelict vehicles to dispose of their cars and trucks responsibly at the George Town Landfill, if they no longer wish to drive them. Persons can be fined or imprisoned under the Cayman Islands Litter Law for vehicles left derelict and abandoned.

In addition to the opportunities being available under the amnesty, members of the public are reminded that they can renew their vehicle’s licence online via DVDL’s website at www.dvdl.gov.ky or through the e-services portal: www.eservices.gov.ky.