Seniors should be exempt from derelict vehicle fees
Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull is calling for seniors and retirees to be exempt from derelict vehicle fees, arguing that the charge places an unfair financial burden on pensioners living on fixed incomes.
Turnbull raised the issue during a recent sitting of the House of Assembly, saying he has received complaints from people who say the fees are burdensome for the elderly.
“I know the minister stated the importance of amending some of the fees to ensure that we are keeping regulations in terms of traffic,” Turnbull said. “But one of the things that was brought to my attention is how this derelict fee affects our retirees and pensioners.”
The derelict vehicle fee was implemented in 2025 as part of the government’s renewed push to address the growing number of abandoned and derelict vehicles across the territory.
The fee, which is collected during vehicle licensing and registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles, is intended to help fund the removal, processing and disposal of derelict vehicles, a programme government officials say is necessary to protect public health, the environment and the territory’s overall appearance.
However, Turnbull noted that seniors renewing their driver’s licences or registering vehicles are currently required to pay the same fee as other motorists, despite relying almost entirely on limited retirement income.
“This now is a fee that they are actually paying from the same retirement income that they have, and we are dipping into it,” Turnbull told the House. “When someone is 70 or 75 years old and has met all the requirements to operate a vehicle in the territory, we are now digging further into their income with this derelict fee.”
He urged the government to introduce exemptions, caps or discounts for elderly residents, warning that without such relief, the charge effectively becomes another tax on those least able to afford it.
“I am asking that we look at how our retirees and pensioners are dealt with,” Turnbull said. “Just as we have certain exemptions or limits for seniors, we must consider what this means for them, especially when we have not increased living benefits for people in retirement.”
His comments come amid ongoing calls from sections of the community for the government to take stronger action to alleviate cost-of-living pressures facing seniors and retirees, many of whom are already struggling with rising expenses for utilities, healthcare and basic necessities.
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Let me register my Benz in granny name!
Lol – you made my morning! Laughter is indeed the best medicine….”blah” … carry on and have an awesome day!
its all the old taxi guys that leave their garbage lying at the side of the road and now you want to give them a pass, is this due to the derelict fire taxis?
Mitch,
The fee is a one-time fee and helps Government to get rid of Granny’s vehicle when it deteriorates beyond repair. Look for another way of gaining points before elections are called.
The financial well-being of seniors, retirees, and pensioners is under threat due to current economic challenges. It is essential to address their difficulties by implementing measures that alleviate the hardships associated with insufficient daily resources.
The current monthly stipends no longer adequately cover the rising and sustained cost of living.
Consequently, it is essential to address their financial requirements promptly, alleviate their hardship, and improve their quality of life, considering their many years of dedicated service and contributions to the community.
Last, our government should be looking out for the least of us but, we have become the unseen and uncared for constituent of society.
The financial well-being of seniors, retirees, and pensioners is under threat due to current economic challenges. It is essential to address their difficulties by implementing measures that alleviate the hardships associated with insufficient daily resources.
The current monthly stipends no longer adequately cover the rising and sustained cost of living.
Consequently, it is essential to address their financial requirements promptly, alleviate their hardship, and improve their quality of life, considering their many years of dedicated service and contributions to the community.
Finally, we have become an overlooked and underappreciated segment of this society. A society that does not acknowledge the contributions of its former workers and producers’ displays insufficient sensitivity to those who have laid the groundwork for its continued advancement and stability.
It is concerning when government communication frequently emphasizes minor issues in the media while neglecting critical matters affecting citizens’ well-being, particularly those life-or-death concerns for which officials were elected but continue to overlooked.
Everyone needs to be exempt.
This policy only encourages people to keep the derelict eyesores lying around all over the island.
What a stupid policy.
is this really the kind of BS that is prioritised and discussed by Ministers. No wonder the place is such a hole!!
Along with the recent salary increase alloted to the ruling government, the people are now demanding a “DECENT LIVING WAGE.”
If the people’s financial needs are not met as they were for the elected thirteen HOA Greedy Bill and exorbitant salary increase gangsters, the people must speak loudly at the polls coming up soon.
People are tired of seeing their so called leaders live high while they remain in economic stagnation.
This dude is so less. His only cry is seniors, seniors. Is that the only set of people that voted for you. But we see what you are trying to do. You’re preying on a vulnerable group..shame on you..shame on you. You need real work to do. District 2..We voting Mitch out!
Dem old so called mechanics.and taximan when them old bus throw down?Yeah Dem horders got the most old broke.
Everyone should not only seniors its unfair . Ive been living in hannahs for nearly 20 yrs now and it never been this terrible that i now seeing more rats then ever. Why there is so many derelicts vehicles in hannahs the dmv department need charge tthat man not us u even cant drive properly through tthere anymore hannahs is like a junk yard with plenty rat and roaches at night is look as a nest . The district rep isnt doing anything this need to be solve and charge this man . He even use people land to drop all these old derelicts vehicle