Roadtown, Tortola - Government is informing members of the motoring public that as of August 31, 2009 CM license plates will only be issued to vehicles that fall under the guidelines of the road traffic regulations 2009. 

According to the amended regulations CM refers to those vehicles owned and registered in the name of a business having a valid trade license where the operations of the business require the use of a particular piece of equipment or vehicle, specifically designed or constructed for that type of work including but not limited to crane, excavator, backhoe, bulldozer, motor grader, articulated, concrete, water or tipper trucks, trailer, tractor, sanitation trucks, trailer, tanker and other similar vehicles.

The law also states that any mode of transportation to be designated as a commercial vehicle must be approved for use on BVI roads, by its original design such as earth moving, material handling, construction equipment or some permanent alteration such as a dump, tank or boom lift which have been constructed for the purpose of being efficient and effective at a particular work related task and the design feature or alteration must be clearly distinguishable.

In addition, commercial vehicles should not be designed primarily as a mode of passenger transportation and must by nature of its construction be unsuitable for the regular and common use and function as a passenger vehicle, such as tractors, cargo vans and box trucks, except that the seating must not accommodate more than three persons.

 Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mrs. Myrna Ferdinand told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the re-definition of the CM plates was partially due to illegal taxi operators using such plates that prompted numerous complaints from within the transportation industry due to the abuse and circumvention of the taxi provisions.   “It also came as a result of the new category of livery plates that now clearly defines the use and functions of such plates,” Mrs. Ferdinand added.

All other vehicles bearing the CM registration plates that do not fit the definition of the CM will be converted to PV, except in those cases where persons holding a valid trade license and taxi license use the CM plates to provide tour and shuttle services.  Those in that category will be transferred to the plate that indentifies with the livery service provided.

CM to PV plate transfers will be carried out from September 2 to 4, 7 to 11 and 14 to 18 at the Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cow’s Bay from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Government is seeking the support of all parties involved to make the transition as smooth as possible as efforts are made to provide efficient and accurate services in vehicle licensing matters and to enhance drivers’ safety in compliance with the road traffic legislation of the Territory.