Driver's licence woes could last four weeks

As of Thursday, October 31, 2019

ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin. (File photo)

By NEIL HARTNELL

and YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporters

Technology “glitches” and a surge in applications were yesterday blamed for the driver’s licence “backlog” that some sources yesterday suggested could last for another four weeks.

Antoinette Thompson, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, told Tribune Business that the issuance of new licences and renewals was “back on track” from Tuesday after issues with the printing of the documents were remedied.

However, multiple sources at the Road Traffic Department and the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business that infuriated motorists will have to brace for difficulties in obtaining driver’s license cards for another four weeks.

If such a timeline holds true the problems will have lasted for seven weeks, given that they have been ongoing for the past three. The woes could not have come at a worse time given the recent legal changes that require all motorists to possess a driver’s licence on their person and immediately present it to a police officer upon request.

“Admittedly there has been a challenge with drivers licenses being issued,” Ms Thompson told Tribune Business, “with the passage of the law on October 7, and the conversations around it over the last several months, leading up to the minister of transport delivering a communication and informed parliament on the changes of multiple road traffic laws.

“One of several things happened as a result of the announcement of the new road traffic laws. There was an increase in the number of applications over the summer for driver’s licenses. That was one of the reasons for the Road Traffic Department running short of license cards.

“Also, there was a slight increase since the passage of the law on October 7. The increase created a backlog. Further compounding the increase of applicants, there was a glitch with the printing of the driver’s licenses. When they were printed at that particular juncture of the increase in applicants, the signature was being super imposed over the face of the applicant.”

Ms Thompson added that the system “should be back on track”, saying: “Well, they should be able to get them as of yesterday [Tuesday]. The information I have gotten is that the glitch with the system has been remedied.”

Tribune Business was yesterday told that driver’s licence applicants were being told to retain payment slips as proof they have applied for a renewal in case of being stopped by the police. IN addition, persons were also being directed to apply for $50 international licences if they need to go abroad.

Rick Lowe, Nassau Motor Company’s (NMC) director/operations manager, told Tribune Business: “If you need to go to the US and your driver’s licence has expired they’re making you apply for an international licence. At least you can drive internationally, but it’s creating a bit of a dilemma and seems to be causing some havoc up there.

“Locally, you can show the police your renewal slip. Apparently they’ve run out of the plastic cards to print the licences on and won’t have them until December is what we’ve heard unofficially. We’ve had a couple of clients that have applied, once since October 9 actually, and she was told to come back in two-three weeks. She went back and it was still not ready.”

Robert Myers, a principal with the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), said of his experience: “I had to go down there two to three times to hear the same thing: That they don’t have any cards.

“I had to go get a receipt to show I’d paid for a driver’s licence. Why should we go to that hassle. Why should anyone be put to that hassle?”

Glenys Hanna-Martin, former minister for transport, yesterday called for the Government to show greater accountability over the driver’s licence woes at the Road Traffic Department.

“The Government and the people of the Bahamas made a substantial investment to take road traffic from a manual system to a full-automated system, which should have provided greater checks and balances to go to a greater accountable system,” she argued.

“I asked the minister about it last night; the Government has been in charge for two-and-a-half years. They should know more about it. I think that he should be accountable to the Bahamian people for not knowing, or not being able to give, adequate details about the situation.

“The minister needs to explain why the people can’t get a national identification card, particularly in light of the fact of the importance of the document. He himself moved legislation to criminalise this not having a driver’s licence in your vehicle not that long ago.

“He should have known that it would have put people in an uncomfortable position, and he should move to ensure that this would not occur. He should have known he was putting people in jeopardy by criminalising this. Now for the Road Traffic Department to be out of cards at this time is just unacceptable.”

Tribune Business tried to get comment from minister for transport, Renward Wells, but was unsuccessful in doing so.

Islandboy242242 4 years, 5 months ago

Pretty pathetic. How do you run out of cards? Seems like a pretty simple thing to track, like the ink for your printer, you have a working quantity and a reserve quantity, we aren't talking about a small business though we are talking about a whole country, and effecting people traveling to the USA to rent a car, sad sad sad.

Clamshell 4 years, 5 months ago

Only in the Bahamas ... we can assume that the person who forgot to order the cards never forgets to order his/her lunch, or cash their government paycheck. Only in the Bahamas.

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 5 months ago

Sadly this failed Minnis-led FNM government has also caused our public health system to occasionally run out of vital medicines and our public education system to often run out of necessary school supplies. Meanwhile Minnis hob-nobs with foreign investors, the political elite and his business cronies.

proudloudandfnm 4 years, 5 months ago

Unbelievable. And they always have a dumb excuse for their total lack of management....

proudloudandfnm 4 years, 5 months ago

I showed a police officer my slip from Road Traffic once, they couldn't give me a license plate. When I showed it to the cop he asked me why I couldn't a plate? I told him "Bro I don't work for government, I have no idea why they don't have plates". Then he told me if I got pulled over again I could get booked.

Needless to say I was pissed. One government agency telling me the slip is good to show cops. Cops telling me it aint. Sometimes I truly hate the Bahamian government, bunch of lazy, useless people....

TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago

Firstly, you engage campaign contributor middleman's to handle purchase who orders just enough blank cards guarantee you'll run out. Secondly, middleman's arranges the purchase addition blank cards but now that its a rushed order the cost to Road Traffic has increased, makes total sense this comrade, yes, no ... There's no making this up ....

Free_Thinking_Atheist 4 years, 5 months ago

obviously no police officer should book for not having a driver's license during this time period, Unless he/she is insane a paid receipt should suffice until this incompetent mess is cleared up.

Islandboy242242 4 years, 5 months ago

Hope people photocopy that receipt. The ink will probably fade out from the receipt before they get their license printed.

ThisIsOurs 4 years, 5 months ago

I expect similar glitches with the plastics ban. Anyone remember the big hoorah about disabled access come 2019 was it?

TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago

Didn't red shirts not campaign on if elected to govern with a Five-year mandate that they promise they would be positively different than the PLP's ..... Well, that Driver's License apple didn't fall far from the PLP's Glenys tree, yes, no .... Can't just make this Driver's License story up .... Just you wait until final staggering bills arrive for post Hurricane Dorian cleanup and reconstruction the Abaco's and Grand Bahamaland ..... Now the 35 elected Imperialists should know why been best had they not paid out millions on new the Post Office which would about now - would really help help out ---- just maybe they could asks for return many millions ....

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID

The Tribune