Policy being re-implemented: Owners to pay ‘disposal fee’ when licencing vehicle
Plans are afoot to re-implement a key part of the territory’s 19-year-old Derelict Vehicle (Disposal) Act.
General Manager for the Department of Waste Management Greg Massicotte said is because authorities have been experiencing considerable challenges with derelicts since the 2017 hurricanes.
The department wants to re-implement a clause about a ‘disposal fee’.
“There is a disposal fee that is part of the Act which, for one reason or the other, was removed before my time. But, we are working with the Ministry of Health to implement it in short order,” Massicotte said.
He continued: “It is supposed to be paid at the time of licensing the vehicle. It is a one-time payment which is dependent on the weight and the size of your vehicle,” he explained.
The waste management boss said, if reintroduced, the funds currently being channelled towards ridding the territory of these derelicts could help subsidise the cost of the department’s major disposal programme.
Roughly 3,000 derelicts removed since hurricanes
He said his department has towed between 2,500 to 3,000 derelict vehicles to the temporary derelict dump at Pockwood Pond since the hurricanes.
“The majority of it (derelict vehicles) was what was collected after hurricanes Irma and Maria, and then a large portion was derelicts that were either collected or tagged pre-Irma. But, we still have a lot of derelicts on the streets that we have tagging and collecting; so that process is nonstop,”
“It is a cost to the department,” he added. “Every derelict that a private wrecker takes, the department pays $80 to have it removed from the area to the derelict vehicle site.”
Massicotte, however, noted that two wreckers that the department received in the recent past “have helped to curb expenditure significantly”.
Shipments out of the BVI
In the meantime,
“In October there were two 5,000-tonne barges collecting metals and derelict vehicles from the derelict vehicle site in Pockwood Pond. And recently, there was a 2,000-tonne barge that also removed some scrap metals from both sites,” he said.
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I worry about the implementation of this. Firstly, so many junk cars are not licensed anyhow. Making licensing costs more expensive makes that less likely – not more likely.
And second, most likely Government just spends this disposal fee as additional revenue rather than keeping it for its stated purpose.
Excellent news! In the Cayman Islands a $2 or $3 daily tax was introduced on all vehicle rental after Hurricane Ivan (its still in place) which I believe also raises funds towards the costs of vehicle disposal. We should consider doing this here.
On top of everything else tourists already hit with, you want VISITORS to help pay to dispose of YOUR derelict car?
Puleeeese!
In such a case, consumers with vehicles should not have to pay a disposal fee for their vehicles that are in proper working order. The Government needs to collect the proper data and charge those persons that have derelict vehicles. The VIN number and name of customer is sufficient. Therefore when you run the VIN, the customer who the vehicle belong to should be charged. Failure to pay should prevent them from renewing their drivers license, renewing work permits, registering another vehicle, garnish their wages, etc. There are ways to do this, however, DMV, police and other agencies will have to communicate and ENFORCE the laws, instead of everyone having to pay.
I agree with you, however this is a typical example of the innocent suffering for the guilty.
I agree with Look. The ‘disposal fee’ was a disaster back in 2001 so it was removed. Please don’t repeat past mistakes.
So you’re saying that if someone sells their vehicle and even if they move away that they still have to pay a disposal fee when they initially licensed it.
Rethink!
When the vehicle is sold, the vehicle should be transferred. so the most recent buyer bears the cost of the disposal fee and not the initial buyer of the vehicle.
Whoever licenses the vehicle has to pay a disposal fee upon licensing
i was going to post something along those lines but i won’t because it would be redundant since you hit the nail on the head. the only thing i will say is that if this policy is implemented indeed, it will garner an effect/attitude similar to NHI…”since i have to pay for it anyways, why not put it to use?”
I agree with you, however this is a typical example of the innocent suffering for the guilty.
If they are suggesting reinstating a policy that adds a fee when a car is imported how is it penalizing the innocent. The disposal fee is for the car, not the person…it is paid once not every time you license your vehicle. it is a cost of purchasing a NEW car & just like any other expense – duty, frt, etc., it will passed on to the next owner….owners may change & people will leave, but in general, their car stays….apparently forever…
Thanks to the ministry and department for re-establishing this fee. Do not for get to only have left hand drive vehicles except for those used for public transportation. Pleeeeaaaase.
Utter nonsense. I cannot disagree more. A left-hand drive vehicle was designed for driving on the right side of the road (see how its done in the US) whereas a right-hand drive vehicle was designed for driving on the left side of the road (see how its done in the UK).
The fact is that we in the BVI are afforded the opportunity to use our left-hand drive vehicle to drive on the left-hand side of the road (which in all honesty, pose a greater safety risk for passengers and drivers). I am baffled at your call to have right-hand drive removed with the exception of those used for public transportation. Would love to know your logics for such comments.
What about all the derelict marine vessels… Many still littering the BVI’s shores today
I’m not sure I understand this. If you sell that vehicle does the new owner also have to pay the fee when they register it in their name? very few people actually keep a car from new until it no longer road-worthy. so why pay a fee to dispose a car that you likely won’t even own?
Misguided and ill thought out policy this. The derelict owner should be sought out and charged accordingly.
On the other hand, if you want to keep taking from people’s mearger paycheques, then pay all increments and then create a mandatory salary increase policy for both private and public sector.
The policy and practice of over taxing people is an inhumane wqy to raise funds, especially in a society where businesses owners raise their prices every week, and where food, transportation, electricity and housing are just about beyond the average paycheque affordability.
The green and white food chain is a prime example of that.
Doesn’t the government collect money for the scrap metal they dispose of?
If so, where are these fees applied?
I say implement it! Other countries have road tax. The BVI is toooo government friendly. Everything is the government. Tis why children are confused who is the government and some Add..dults!
This law should have been enforced all along. It’s a one-time fee on each vehicle based on the VIN number that must be deposited in a special fund. When you sell a vehicle simply include the fee in the selling price to recover your money. Why over-think it?