Drivers get reprieve on vehicle inspections

| 24/04/2020 | 53 Comments
Cayman News Service
Minister Joey Hew in the LA on Thursday

(CNS): Government will now be able to continue collecting vehicle licence fees and drivers can remain legal without a certificate of road-worthiness after amendments to the Traffic Law were passed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The minister responsible for roads, Joey Hew, said the change allows Cabinet to issue directives to the director of the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing during emergencies.

This will enable vehicle owners whose licences have expired to renew them online for three more months without a current inspection certificate, which addresses the problems arising out of the shelter-in-place order imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Cayman.

The bill was the first piece of legislation to be dealt with during Thursday’s historic sitting, in which eight members appeared electronically. It was unanimously approved.

During the SARS pandemic in 2004 the UK adopted similar legislative provisions and the Cayman Islands bill is based on those amendments.

Hew said the changes would provide the legal flexibility needed to respond quickly during emergencies, such as natural disasters, outbreaks or pandemics, where the Emergency Powers Law has not been enacted, as is the case with the current national health crisis.

“Because of the current law’s inflexibility, owners are not able to renew online without their certificate of road-worthiness being current for over three months,” he said.

But because government cannot predict every circumstance, “we’ve made it broad enough to allow flexibility in various segments of the law”, Hew said. “As a result of this amendment, we should be able to quickly respond to any future unforeseen circumstance.”


See the full sitting of the LA on Thursday on CIGTV here.

See Minister Hew present the amendment to the Traffic Law below:


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Category: Laws, Politics

Comments (53)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    CNS can you find out if people with Q-plates can use the portal to renew? It doesn’t recognize my number plate – I need to renew my car insurance on May 1st but can’t do this with an updated coupon!

  2. Anonymous says:

    What about person with new car that need to get a new plate.

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  3. Kadafe says:

    If you P.O. Box number has changed recently you cannot proceed with online processing because it will not let you enter your P.O. Box of choice, that will only mail to your registered P.O. Box number. It says there you must come in and change your P.O. Box number in the system.

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  4. Kadafe says:

    This is an absolute failure, they have had my logbook for over a month just to process vehicle licensing. They said they will mail it. Rowboat from China could have made it here and back home by now. I used to think spending 2 or 3 hours in line there was too long, this is just ridiculous!

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    • Anon says:

      but the post office has been closed for about a month now so maybe it is sitting somewhere waiting to be processed.

  5. Anon says:

    I have registered on the “portal” as a guest and it does not recognise personal plates although I have held mine for what must be 10 years. They still do not have replacements for these plates after all this time. If civil servants still do not know how to answer their telephones what hope do we have with the DVDL exhibiting even the basis signs of being organised.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Jokey Hew strikes again

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    • Anonymous says:

      Everything he says and does is utter waffle and BS! He is an empty shell unfit for his position.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    The website doesn’t work – when you go in as a guest, enter your licence plate number, tick to say you’re not a robot, you simply get an error message. How can they expect law abiding citizens to comply with the requirements when the only means of doing so doesn’t work? SMH

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    • Anonymous says:

      The “CAPTCHA” image is not so readable, maybe try to refresh it until you get something your can clearly make out. I tried it four times until I found one that worked

      • Anonymous says:

        Sadly, even if you are fortunate enough to get a proper “Captcha” and check all the right boxes, it STILL DOESN’T WORK – and best of all, no-one cares!

        • Anonymous says:

          It hasn’t been updated to allow for renewal without inspection yet because the law hasn’t been signed off on yet, give them time and the your plate number won’t red flag the system.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes and it been on going for 3 weeks. I even email the help desk at that department and their reply was wait till the law is changed. ????

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      • Anonymous says:

        That’s the only thing they can do. The Traffic Law dictates what they are allowed to do and we must be patient. I am 5 weeks without the use of my car so far and I am walking 2 miles to the shop which is not ideal but I won’t break the law by driving.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    The link works … but the licensing site doesn’t work.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Does it make sense to renew your personal Driver’s license online at this time if it’s expired? There is no way to receive it.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    As it turns out, nobody has needed a properly licensed car for the entire term of this Unity Administration. Why start now?

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Logging in with ESID it wouldn’t let me renew car licensing. With post offices closed, they wouldn’t be able to mail me my coupon anyway. RFID plate not ready 3+ years and counting.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    No! This in no way helps the people of Cayman. What this means is Government can collect vehicle registration fees during this total shut down. Only benefit is to CIG coffers, which will be used to pay our CIG employees. Zero help to out of work persons, exactly the opposite. Now that last $200 dollars you have to feed your children for the next month….it must now go to Government to support their lofty lifestyles. Cannot believe anyone is so stupid as to not see this for what it is,

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    • Anonymous says:

      Actually, motor insurance policies are invalid if the car licensing is not up to date. Given the poor standard of driving and the frequency of accidents on this island, it is therefore in everyone’s best interest to ensure their insurance is valid.

      While I’m sure the income is welcomed by the Government, it hardly seems that a $300 car licensing renewal will keep the country afloat and pay the civil service salaries.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Comprehensive insurance covers the car’s value, Irrespective of licensing status. If somebody decides you need new tires, wipers, or a $2.00 signal bulb, your vehicle doesn’t become a complete asset write-off for insurance purposes. That would be illogical and disproportionate.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can they be invalidated if our Government halts license renewals due either to Covid, or inability to pass legislation allowing for alternatives? I think it may be gray.

        • Anonymous says:

          If you are driving an unlicensed vehicle you are breaking the Traffic Law and insurance policies are tied to you abiding by the law so yes.

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually, motor insurance is invalid if the vehicle is not licensed. Given the poor standard of driving and the frequency of accidents on this island, it is therefore in everyone’s best interest to ensure their car is licensed and consequently their insurance is valid.

      While I am sure the additional income is welcomed by the Government, it hardly seems that a $300 renewal will keep the Government afloat and pay the civil service salaries.

      In any case, this point was raised by affected citizens which caused the Government to consider ways in which they could help. This being a quick and easy solution. They were listening to the people. Imagine that! Try not to be such a pessimist and lighten up!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Some of us are still employed, and should pay as it will give some money into the gov coffers as you say so then perhaps it can help NAU and even pay some civil servants. Like it or not, they are still being paid so may as well. You’ll have to pay one way or another eventually.

  13. Anon says:

    I just tried the online application, it does not recognise personalised # plates and the help desk # does not answer. I guess I will save some money.

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  14. Anon says:

    Can someone from the DVDL read these comments and provide answers

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  15. Anon says:

    Where do we apply online?

  16. Anonymous says:

    What about those of us who still have the old plates through no fault of our own? Lots of us still on the road. How will we be able to renew online? Last I checked online renewal was only available to those with electronic plates.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You can renew old plates online, they don’t need to be “electronic”

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      • Anonymous says:

        Since when?

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        • Anon says:

          Always (I did it in October). The only difference is, if your plates are ready, they will not send your coupon in the post, instead they will send you a letter saying your plates are ready for pick up – you will then have to go down there with your old plates, old coupon and log book to collect your new plates (obviously this part would be permitted until they actually reopen). The main thing right now is to renew online and keep the receipt of payment as proof it has been done

    • Anonymous says:

      Your plate number shouldn’t have changed so the online service will work for you once they have updated the system to allow for registration without inspection.

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    • Anon says:

      1.15pm I was told there are still no replacements for personal plates, looks like we can save some money.

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      • Be honest says:

        Hey if you want to continue to drive your car illeagally then do it. You have been obviously doing that for a long time now. Everytime your given an answer YOU CLAIM IT AIN’T WORKING. Just do one thing, when your dumb ass gets caught, do not start making excuses. Pay the fine, do the time……

        • Anonymous says:

          Wouldn’t it have been better to just extend the current (now expired) registrations for 3 to 6 months.

  17. Anonymous says:

    This is great news! As the law was passed yesterday, Can you ask when the E-services website will be updated to accommodate the change so we can pay online to renew the vehicle registration? Thank you!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Also, are you able to renew without at E.S.I.D number ?
      Can the DVDL furnish that number to those that are not signed up ?
      Drivers would appreciate the information.

  18. Anonymous says:

    More irresponsible waffle from the great voter panderer.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Joey Who is a joke!

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    • Anonymous says:

      I am a ppm supporter but I am embarrassed that he is Alden’s choice to lead the party. Joey Hew cannot do the job he is all for himself. Dart is his master. How could be be a better choice than Roy McTaggart or Wayne Panton as leader for ppm? I would rather they bring back KT.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I agree that Mr. Hew is not the man for the job, but disagree with your latter three choices.

        What is it that the POM still has that is desirable? Are you a true believer in the party or the people? I think I know the answer, but would respectfully ask for clarification.

        What we need is true leaders, who make a difference never seen before, and truly fight for the proper causes.

        I’m not sure that anyone could imagine what is right around the corner for the electorate to vote on.

        In fact, you might find that there are far more alternative amazing choices soon to come. Let’s wait, watch and see how things unfold.

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