Convicted criminals, persons of bad character cannot obtain taxi license- Kye Rhymer
When Mr Rhymer was asked by the Premier and Minister of Finance and Territorial At Large Representative, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, what prevents someone from receiving a taxi license, the Commissioner said the factors included conviction of a crime, medical conditions, fined more than $1000.00, 6 months imprisonment and bad character, along with many complaints from the community.
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (CMV) did not elaborate on these factors; however, in a follow up the Premier asked how long persons are banned after being convicted of a crime, to which Mr Rhymer replied five years.
Dr Smith further asked if obtaining a taxi license is at the discretion of the CMV or the Minister for Communications and Works. To this, Mr Rhymer told the Committee that all new applications are approved by the Minister and renewals are denied and approved by himself.
Personalised Plates anyone?
Meanwhile, Member for the Fifth District and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Delores Christopher asked about the process for obtaining a personalised plate. The CMV stated that an application is filled out at the Department of Motor Vehicles and then forwarded to the Minister for Communications and Works for approval.
The Junior Minister for Tourism and Territorial At Large Representative, Hon Archibald C. Christopher asked whether the Minister could disapprove of a plate, to which Mr Rhymer replied “yes.”
Hon Christian asked under what circumstances plates could be disapproved and the CMV stated that profanity and inappropriateness lead to disapproval. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Anthony S. McMaster, told the Budget Committee it is also up to the Minister’s discretion.
The cost of a personalised license plate is One thousand dollars ($1000.00) and in 2015 eight plates were sold.
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32 Responses to “Convicted criminals, persons of bad character cannot obtain taxi license- Kye Rhymer”
If I want to operate a messenger service and got a trade licence approved by the Premier but I have a criminal record...do you mean to tell me that I wouldn't get CM plates or my drivers license because this young man thinks I am not of good character? Nonsense!
But on the other hand in other countries when you are convicted of a crime there are many things you cannot do...only in BVI we commit crimes and then pretend like it never happened and expect everyone else to forget once you leave jail. No....there are consequences to crime that follow you for the rest of your life...so before you do something stupid think of how limited your choices will be later....this is just life.....we just love to condone wrong in this place.
We are not any other country. I don't care what happens any where else but here.. We are a small country and need to decide our own unique processes that benefit us.
A person convicted of a crime and paid their punishment should be allowed to live their lives and earn a living or they will be forced to turn to crime.
I bounced 3 checks and got fined $1,000. Based on this dumb process, this young man can arbitrarily decide that my taxi licence will not be renewed? BS.