TCD to crackdown on abuse of seniors’ car licencing fees

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Seniors will be protected by law from paying car licence fees, under legislation tabled by Transport Minister Walter Roban.

But they will have to visit TCD and show their driving licence to qualify for the exemption, as the Ministry cracks down on abuse of the system which has cost Government $17 million.

Mr Roban told The Royal Gazette the Motor Car Amendment Act enshrines in law the policy put in place in 2007 to give people over 65 relief on their driver’s licence.

He said the bill also addresses concerns the number of vehicles registered to seniors jumped by 26 percent since former Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown announced over 65s were exempt five years ago.

The largest bracket of cars, Class H, has seen a rise of 358 percent registered to seniors in that time.

During this February’s Budget, Premier Paula Cox announced the tax break for large cars would be rolled back to stop abuse, but this idea was dropped following complaints from seniors’ advocates.

Mr Roban said: “Clearly the policy change had some unanticipated outcomes.

“To make it better managed as to any persons who might be taking the benefit of it and not actually over the age of 65, the owner of the car must have a valid driver’s licence, and they must come to TCD to complete the process of licensing their car.”

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