New derelict vehicle policy may see 5-day notice period
Derelict vehicles dumped in Havers.
The government is preparing to introduce a new policy to address the long-standing problem of derelict vehicles across the BVI, with abandoned vehicles on Crown lands potentially subject to removal within just five days.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced the measure during his 2026 State of the Territory Address yesterday, describing it as part of his government’s efforts to improve the appearance of the territory and tackle a problem that residents have repeatedly raised with government.
The Premier said plans are in place for storage and management of abandoned vehicles.
“I’m pleased to report that government has now reached an agreement with the landowner for the storage and management of derelict vehicles. And as soon as final preparations are completed, a major territory-wide cleanup initiative will begin,” Wheatley stated.
According to the Premier, the initiative will be supported by a new Crown Lands Management Framework that allows for the removal of derelict vehicles left on Crown lands after a short notice period.
“Importantly, under the new Crown Lands Management Framework, derelict vehicles abandoned on Crown Lands can now be removed after five days. However, we will endeavour to give timely notices. I think five days is enough,” Wheatley said.
He added that the government is also strengthening legislation to support long-term enforcement and accountability under the territory’s derelict vehicle laws.
The issue of abandoned and derelict vehicles has persisted in the Virgin Islands for years, with residents frequently complaining about vehicles being left along roadsides, on vacant lots and on public lands. Previous governments have conducted cleanup exercises and explored various disposal and storage solutions, but the problem has continued to resurface in many communities.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Well they been charging us extra money up the DMV
Where all that money gone?
About time they did something but we see
5 days to do what ? Move off crown land and put into parking lots or private property.. Persons can’t find parking in town as the lots are now full with abundant cars/trucks. Go right there behind the Road Town police station and you see. They were move them from a private property and onto the government road. No parking at all if you need to see the Barba. 5 days is too much.. remove and send the bill to the owner. The hold island look nasty not only with abundant cars. Some private property need fines
The owners of those abandon vehicles is who need to pay the derelict fee at DMV, not us the regular customers. The owners of those vehicles also need to be flagged at DMV to pay up or not renew their licenses.
If DMV is going to continue charging everyone the derelect fee then fine the owners of those vehicles.
Any vehicle over 5 years should not be allowed into the VI
20 years Too late and $20 bucks Too short on imported recyclable equipment. The Government will never get serious. We pay paradise for their miss management.
So many peoles yards and lands like scrap yard! Place never going to clean up till we clean our ways.
Pockwood Pond here comes the derelict vehicles. What the hell. One more noise making, junky, dirty, nasty place. More day light robbers with blow torches taking parts off of cars. It’s like a family fun day out for a stroll. When they finish get the parts they could go cross the street to the bar/restaurant and sing karaoke on the microphones with the sound up over the decibel level. Because everyone in Pockwood Pond deaf anyway so no biggy.
STOP ALLOWING THOSE OLD RIGHT HAND DRIVE JAPANESE VEHICLES FROM BEFORWARD INTO THE BVI AND THE PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED.
THE OWNERS OF THOSE DERELICT VEHICLES IS JUST EXPRESSING HIW THEIR MINDS ARE AND IT HAS BECOME THE NORM , USE SOMETHING OR SOMEONE AND WHEN THEY GET TIRED OF IT DUMP IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ETC – AND REPLACE IT , OR IN TERMS OF ( HUMANS ) WORK THEM TO DEATH AND THEN FIRE THEM , SAME THING WITH LOVERS , IF MARRIED ‘DIVOCE THEM , IF NOT JUST GET RID OF THEM FOR ANOTHER ONE , THEY CALL THEMSELVES -PLAYERS .
should remove derelicts off private land too! such an eye sore
I paid almost double from what is customary to register my vehicle last year at DMV.
There was no warning about this. Mr. Premier can you please explain the extra, and what it is going to be moving forward. Thank you sir