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73-year-old Premier Smith questions age policy on driver’s license

- Dr Smith wants to know why persons over age 70 are required by DMV to have a physical exam completed before new license is granted
Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Mr Kye M. Rymer (right) was peppered by Premier and Leader of Government Business Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, before the Standing Finance Committee, over the requirement that all persons over 70 years of age must do a physical exam before a new license is issued. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Kye M. Rymer was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 2014 and the policy of persons over the age of 70 being subject to a physical examination existed before his appointment to office. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Kye M. Rymer was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 2014 and the policy of persons over the age of 70 being subject to a physical examination existed before his appointment to office. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While testifying before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) on the 2017 Budget earlier this year, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Mr Kye M. Rymer was peppered by Premier and Leader of Government Business Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) over the requirement that all persons over 70 years of age must do a physical exam before a new license is issued.

Dr Smith, who is in his second term as Premier of the Virgin Islands (2011-current) and is 73 years of age (born August 28, 1944), wanted to know in a question before the SFC to Mr Rymer, if there is a policy and the reasons for the policy.

The Commissioner of the DMW confirmed that there is such a policy; however, he stated that it existed before his appointment to office.

Premier must know it’s the Law!

Research by our newsroom confirmed that in fact it’s a part of the law. Under the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 218 sec 17 (4), it states, “every person holding a driver’s license, upon reaching the age of 70 shall upon request of the licensing officer submit to a re-examination of his ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and submit a medical report from a registered medical practitioner, as to his fitness to drive a motor vehicle.”

It is unclear why Premier Smith was questioning this part of the law and if he feels he does not need to be subjected to it now that he is over 70.

The public believes it’s a good provision, as it helps to enhance safety and fitness for drivers over 70 years of age.

The Members of the House of Assembly during the SFC also praised Commissioner Rymer for his good work at the DMV; however, that information was said to be “off the record.”

38 Responses to “73-year-old Premier Smith questions age policy on driver’s license”

  • @73 (07/03/2017, 12:32) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dropsy and alzhimers
  • dear mr. kye (07/03/2017, 12:34) Like (50) Dislike (4) Reply
    Please open tha DMV on saturdays for those who are extremely busy during the week
  • no more double standards (07/03/2017, 12:34) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    No one is above the law
  • THE ACCOUNTANT (07/03/2017, 12:37) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    This may sound necessary or correct and in some cases the right thing to do BUT there are many cases where individuals, well below the age of seventy, are in poor physical and mental condition and are on the road with no questions asked. More thought needs to be given to this matter since applying seventy years as a cut off point is simply a judgement call with no medical basis to support it. Dr. Smith may be zzzzz but he is justified in raising the matter.
    • True (07/03/2017, 15:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      No its a law carried over from the UK, its mainly an opticians visit.
      • Music (07/03/2017, 19:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        No it isnt! Over 70 you get 3 years at a time by self certifying that you are fit to drive. Over 80 they may ask more questions. I have had to renew 8 years in a row, with medical tests. My birthday is in July and I am always away. You can only renew two months in advance. You will note that the law says shall submit to a medical on request of the licencing officer. Ie it is NOT compulsory. Law is badly applied. I have spoken to Kye several times about this. Certainly there are some taxi drivers who should not be on the road. Note, premier can give himself a medical, or go to Peebles for free, as can anyone else. But they need to make it three years until someone walks in to renew who is questionably fit.
      • Read (11/03/2017, 07:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        A visit to an MD is not the same as a visit to an optometrist. They need to slow down and say exactly what they mean.
    • OUT OF PLACE (07/03/2017, 15:28) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      Exactly and furthermore a person personal health is his or hers business but this is what happened when Government controls healthcare and insurance everybody feels they should have access to your records.
      • @outofplace (07/03/2017, 20:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        I agree with you but when your health put other members of the public at risk of injury or death it becomes every body's business. Each week hundreds of visitors and residents travel around the territory in vehicles driven by persons..no fault of theirs in most cases, who are chronically ill through hypertension/hypotension, diabetes and heart disease and others. Government has to put policies/laws in place to ensure that these people are being treated and monitored by a medical practitioner. Bear in mind that some of these persons totally ignore their health. On the other hand a young person with no previous health issues could have a health episode and risk the lives of the public too. I support any law that is meant to protect the public.
      • Armchair DR (08/03/2017, 10:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        "Out of Place", don't get so touchy. Driving remains a privilege not a right. The government has the responsibility to ensure the people who are licensed to drive are of proper health.
  • Just saying (07/03/2017, 12:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    He needs to retire
    • @ Just saying (08/03/2017, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I will rather him any day than funny man so let he stay right there
  • v (07/03/2017, 13:17) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The law is the law. Personally don't see a problem with it. There has to be some age cap in which persons a re-examined to determine whether or not they are fit to drive, it's the case anywhere else in the world so why not here? Just because you are 73 and seemingly capable of operating a motor vehicle doesn't mean that goes the same for others at that age, you being a medical professional should be well aware of that sir.
  • Really??? (07/03/2017, 13:20) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are you questioning something that is already a law mr premier??? There are so many other pressing issues in the BVI that we the citizens of this country need answers to and the best thing that you could come up with was to ask Mr Rymer if someone over the age of 70 does a check up before they are issued a license? Please go and actually do some work and try to eliminate all these high fees and taxes that you are imposing on us just to keep fueling your spending habits!!! Thank you.


  • The TRUTH (07/03/2017, 13:23) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not commenting on the policy, but I must commend Mr. Rymer for the GOOD JOB he has been doing.
  • Would like to add (07/03/2017, 13:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    In the USVI all persons applying for a driver's license must do a physical. I dont see a big deal here.
    • two cents (09/03/2017, 19:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Would like to add, ..and I bet nobody over there makes any noise about it, only in the BVI every law or policy is always challenged.
  • dog man (07/03/2017, 13:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    that's a good thing to do.
  • Pv 2019 (07/03/2017, 14:16) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr ZZZZZZZZ
  • truthbetold (07/03/2017, 14:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    All it is, Doc has something to hide as far as his health go. He knows that by having to do a full physical only to be handed over to the DMV, information he may not want public may become public. Quick, fast, and in a hurry!
    • truth betold (07/03/2017, 16:05) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      The DMV does not have to be informed of your medical condition... the results just need to state:
      (1) Is medically fit to operate a vehicle
      (2) Is not medically fit to, operate a vehicle.

      It is not a hospital or clinic where your medical information needs to be in full detail for appropriate treatment. If that is what is happening then something is wrong with that and that needs to be addressed or people's personal information will be all over Tortola and beyond.
  • BRAD BOYNES (07/03/2017, 14:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    This government want everything to be easy street going. that is why they are @#$* up immigration and labour.

  • Jack B Nimble (07/03/2017, 14:56) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    The thing about law when you start making them without the proper research and study. Where would it stop... I've heard many ladies say the 70 plus year old men perform better than the 30 and 40 old.. What is the real basis and reason for this law?
  • hp (07/03/2017, 16:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Smith, are you just noticing this? I have complained for years about taking a $100 physical every year, but the law is the law. And only a 1 year license, no more 3 year stuff, Mr Smith.
    Like every thing else doesn't matter what the peons say, but when it effects a politician it makes the news!
  • zoe (07/03/2017, 16:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a question why would he asked?
  • Let's Fess Up! (07/03/2017, 17:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is that the only thing needs questioning concerning the DMV? People here struggling to take the written test can't even get an honest printout of results if they fail. What if the computer has a glitch in it, and is not scoring the licence fairly?
  • Well (07/03/2017, 17:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As we all shall know laws are not for the NDP bunch
  • Music (07/03/2017, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of these bloggers are under 70. Just you wait! No need to pay $100. Free at Peebles clinic. They have the letters already drafted.
  • Specialkdelivery (07/03/2017, 20:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We do licensing of vehicles for those who don't have time too do so..... Give us a call 543-4606
  • ------------------ (07/03/2017, 21:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We're the folks out here who will be getting killed when these darn old men drive. Lay it on the line.
  • Allawe (07/03/2017, 21:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether the Honorable is asleep, over the age of 70yrs or what he DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE HIMSELF. He can appoint a driver. Is that bit one of the things the POLICE DO BEST? They've being driving Ralph, Governors, Judges and the likes for eons. Not that the BVI is the only place it happens but just saying it can happen and LAW IS LAW and BVI need to stop thinking that they are ABOVE ALL LAWS. I bet a BVIlander living abroad over the age of whatever the law is abides with the LAWS OF THAT LAND, But here we think we should do whatever we want. Somebody gets hurt or dies we blog pissery.
  • Siobhan Tandberg (08/03/2017, 19:30) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another subject within the DMV is: 1-the fact that the written test is online only, 2-reading the booklet, very confusing, run-on sentences, ongoing sentences and miles of wording to get to the point, 3-the use of vocabulary words that the DMV uses to replace simple words that applicants understand meaning of. This whole test seems to be unfair and a mockery to the natives here. There are many applicants who have NEVER been introduced to a computer nor the internet here ever. How about having a written test,instead of this shady cyber test. This is unfair and imposes a state of untrust and genocide towards the BVI natives and anyone else here.
  • When I get in (08/03/2017, 21:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't worry when i get in i will make sure visitors renting vehicles, boats etc show medical proof also but they have a licence who checking them. Im not against health test its very important it helps us to do self check. Just kidding food to chew on
  • Never Dishonest (09/03/2017, 08:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Siobhan Tandberg has a good point there. SHADY and DISHONEST is the name which defines this test. Wow! I've never seen a written test that was RESEARCHED, EDITED and COMPILED by so ATROCIOUSLY. I wouldn't be surprised if us natives here started driving around without licenses.
  • tha-time (09/03/2017, 13:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Should thee eye examination be stopped also? Well everything is a bother and it appears that our Law Makers are the ones seemingly most outraged with the laws that they can change if necessary. for instance Mr. Penn is livid/outraged at the law enforcers for enforcing the laws because government is getting sued. Well when the people get outraged at the bikers and ask what is the law enforcers doing will he stand up and be so forthright. he spoke about discretion in enforcing the laws but never once mention anything about discretion when spending public funds. some pretends at solution as per the stage but fail when on the real stage. It appears that campaigning has started drizzling in.


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