Barbados Licensing Authority Warns Motorists Against Illegal Use of Commercial License Plates for Public Service Vehicles

The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) on Thursday cautioned motorists using commercial licence plates (C plates) to operate public service vehicles (PSVs) to put the brakes on the illegal practice.

Against the backdrop of reports from public service vehicle (PSV) operators, Acting Chief Licensing Officer Treca McCarthy-Broomes said the BLA was working with the Transport Authority and The Barbados Police Service to address the matter, even as she warned offenders they could face stiff action.

“The Licensing Authority would like to inform all vehicle owners of Sections 5, 9 and 10 in particular of the Road Traffic Act. A person who knowingly submits false information in respect of an application to register a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5 000 or to imprisonment, or a term of 12 months or both.

“Once the Licensing Authority obtains evidence that a person submits false information regarding the registration of the vehicle, the Licensing Authority may deregister the motor vehicle,” she said.

The Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) confirmed that its Complaints Department has been receiving calls that some persons were using C plates not only to act as public service vehicles, but to operate hired cars and taxis.

AOPT Chairman Roy Raphael said it was not a new practice and suggested that the problem may stem from the number of pirate vehicles on the road.

“Yes, we have heard about it . . . . I’m hearing about situations where people hire out their cars with C plates numbers on them and use them as taxis. People now see it as a gateway of getting a public service vehicle without going through the right channels,” he suggested.

In September last year, the BLA introduced white registration plates with blue text carrying the letter ‘C’ for trade or commercial vehicles that are owned by companies, partnerships or sole proprietors who are using those vehicles to do business.

McCarthy-Broomes explained this includes “trucks, articulated vehicles, (container trucks) delivery vehicles, freezer trucks, hearses, panelled vehicles, pick-up trucks, which are single-cabs doing business, privately owned ambulances, tractors, trailers, and those vehicles registered as goods vehicles to conduct driving tests.”

She pointed out that PSVs are taxis, maxi taxis, route taxis, minibuses, tour coaches and hired vehicles which already have their own designated letters such as ZR, Z, B, BM and H.