Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke says motorists should soon see relief from the long, winding queues that have become a familiar sight outside Licensing offices, with operations expected to return to normal in the coming weeks.
But yesterday morning, normality still felt distant at the San Fernando Licensing Office. Long before dawn, a steady stream of cars, pickups, and trucks stretched from Balisier Avenue in Pleasantville onto the Rienzi Kirton Highway, as drivers braced themselves for hours-long waits to complete routine transactions.
The surge has been fuelled by a spike in enforcement activity, including increased road traffic fines and policing exercises, which have driven motorists back to Licensing offices for inspections, transfers and driver’s permit renewals.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Clarke said the Transport Division has been closely monitoring the influx, particularly for services that require vehicles to be physically presented at the offices.
“What we have recognised is a decrease in the inspection because of the fact that the honourable minister would have put the necessary provisions in place so that the taxis of a TARE weight of 2,270 kg and under, they can now visit the 80 testing stations across the country, so we have seen a decrease in those, otherwise, the lines would be longer,” Clarke said.
He also pointed to a reduction in goods vehicles visiting Licensing offices for inspections. Vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 3,200 kg or over are now being serviced by the Vehicle Management Company (VMCOTT), easing pressure on the system.
However, Clarke said many motorists currently in the queues had begun their inspection process months ago, before the new arrangements took effect, leaving them with little choice but to complete the transaction at the Licensing Office.
“We are seeing a slight decrease; we expect a greater decrease to take place, probably just before or after Carnival. We normally see this around that time. Finally, we have also noted over the years, traditionally, there has been an increase in vehicle inspection, especially for T vehicles around January because most of those persons’ inspection expires around that time, so I am also looking forward to next year for those persons to capitalise when utilising the other sites, having VMCOTT giving some of those services.”
Carnival preparations have also contributed to the rush. Clarke said motorists seeking passes for music trucks and smaller equipment vehicles must first secure valid inspection stickers, further swelling January demand.
Vehicle transfers remain another pressure point. Clarke said transfers can only be completed at Licensing offices, as the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act requires a transport officer to physically inspect the vehicle.
“That is not something we have decentralised at this point. We are still contemplating whether we should do so because a transfer is a transaction that we have seen yield a lot of concern if it is not handled properly. Stolen vehicles, knock-down vehicles, vehicles that are not properly registered, vehicles that have been registered twice, etc. So those vehicles are still required to come to transfer at licensing because sometimes during a transfer transaction, we pick up certain issues.”
While transfers were once limited to the Caroni, San Fernando and Port-of-Spain offices, Clarke said the service has since expanded to Point Fortin, Guaico and Arima.
Appointments are mandatory at those locations to prevent vehicle congestion.
Concerns over staffing have also surfaced. Last week, workers at the San Fernando office said inspections require 19 employees, but the office currently operates with just six.
Clarke acknowledged the strain, noting that transactions depend on both licensing officers and administrative staff. He admitted they work in a challenging environment, and there are contingencies at times.
However, he said the matter was now engaging the attention of Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour and the division’s human resources department.
