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Village-based vehicle licensing system opposed
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Posted on Jul 12 2000
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has opposed a proposal that will introduce a village-based license plates system in the CNMI because it will unnecessarily burden residents.
Maj. Bertha Chong-Tudela, officer in charge of BMV, believes that changing the existing system to reflect the vehicle licensing setup in Guam will only spawn problems. Currently, Guam has not been consistent in the issuance of village license plates since authorities only give whatever plate is available.
In a memorandum to Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho, author of HB 12-207 (Village-based license plates, vanity Plates), Ms. Tudela said the proposal entails huge costs on the part of residents and a lot of paper work for BMV personnel.
The implementation of village-based license plates will also highlight the problem in connection with village rivalry. For example, San Antonio residents who are having problems with people from the northern side of the village like Tanapag or San Roque will be immediately identified through their license plates, thus, leading to more troubles.
“License plates in the United States are issued by the state they are registered in, not by sections, cities, counties, etc.
Changing license plate each time a person moves to a different village is costly, time-consuming and impractical. What if the person does not wish to change license plate? Would the person be penalized for it?” asked Ms. Tudela.
Instead of changing the current license plate system, Ms. Tudela said the Legislature should look into other important matters such as amending Public Law 11-110 on driver’s license renewal as requested by BMV.
In connection with the proposal to regulate fees for Vanity Plates, BMV said such plan should instead follow the current regulation on “Personalized” and “Dealers” plates so that current regulations and fees are just adopted.
Ms. Tudela said it is better if fees that are set under the law are followed and those that vehicles that are not listed under it such as Taxicab, $75; Limousines, $200; Dealers (Distributors), $200; Trailers, $25 (personal), $50 (Commercial). In addition, a $50 penalty fee for late registration is excess of 10 working days should be included.
