A motorist affixing the new plate to his vehicle.
A socially distanced queue outside the Government Building on Tuesday.
Customers in line to collect their number plate.
PHILIPSBURG--A total of 23,838 motor vehicle stickers were sold in 2020, a drop from the 28,751 pairs of number plates and road tax payments made up to September 2019.
It is now easier for motorists to pay their motor vehicle tax – also called road tax. Persons can make their payments online, via a Drop Box, or in cash. Receiver Minerva Gumbs said these options are intended to alleviate long lines and to ensure the safety of staff and taxpayers. Gumbs encourages taxpayers to pay early to avoid the rush leading up to the deadline, which by law is February 28.
Online payments can be made via Windward Islands Bank (WIB) US$ account: 324800-05 or Guilder account 324800-03, or Royal Bank (RBC) US$ account: 8200000403930461 or Guilder account: 8200000005425048. When making online payments, motorists should mention their name and licence plate number in the description box. After the payment is made, motorists should e-mail their proof of payment, a copy of their valid insurance and valid inspection card, as well as their contact number to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When their documents are processed, contact will be made by phone for them to pick up their number plate. This option is also available for groups such as family members and friends, etc.
For the Drop Box option, the business community and other organisations can drop off their documents in a properly sealed envelope and place it in a Drop Box located outside of the Government Building. The envelope must contain copies of valid insurance and inspection cards, and proof of payment (bank transfer or cheque). Cash should not be placed in the envelope. Personal cheques will not be accepted. On the envelope, motorists should put their name/the name of their company, as well as their contact number. They will be notified by phone when they can pick up their number plates. This option is also available for groups such as family members and friends, etc. Tax Administration encourages the business community to make use of this payment option. Their employees can also make use of this option.
For the third option, cash and Maestro Card payments can be made at the Receivers Office cashiers at the Government Building or at the Public Service Center in Simpson Bay. A valid insurance and inspection card are required for this option. Masks are required and social distancing measures must be adhered to. Opening hours are Monday through Fridays from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Only three transactions will be allowed at a time per person. Persons with more than three vehicles are encouraged to make use of the online payment or the drop box option. Plates can be picked up at the Receivers Office Building, next to the St. Maarten Festival Village. For payments made at the Public Service Center in Simpson Bay, plates can also be collected at that location within 24 hours.
Motorists were able to pay their 2021 motor vehicle tax online as of January 1, and physically, as of Monday, January 4. Authorities had decided to use the number plates ordered for 2020, which had been delayed, for this year.
Apart from government plates, plates ordered and received are 15,000 M plates; 9,999 P plates; 3,100 R plates; 300 B plates; 550 Taxi plates; 240 T plates; 90 G plates; 3,900 V plates; 390 Z plates; and 900 MF plates.
The license plates are adorned with an image of the statue of William Henry Bell Jr. at the Cole Bay Hill lookout point on A.J.C. Brouwer Road. The plates are blue in colour and have “The Friendly Island” written at the top and “St. Maarten” at the bottom. A total of 32,988 sets of 2020 number plates and 900 single plates for motorbikes have been ordered for motorists.
The plates cost NAf. 12.50 for all types of vehicles and NAf. 7.50 for motorbikes. Motorists with number plates M, P, SXM, MR (ministers) and PAR (Parliament) will pay NAf. 275 in motor vehicle tax for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated ones.
Motorists with R plates will pay NAf. 300 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Taxis, BUS, G (group) and T (tour buses with 35 passengers or less) pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 550 for diesel fuel-operated vehicles.
Vehicles with V and Z plates that weigh more than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 1,250 for gasoline- or diesel-fuel-operated vehicles. Vehicles with V plates that weigh less than 3,500kg will pay NAf. 275 for gasoline-operated vehicles and NAf. 750 for diesel-fuel-operated vehicles.
Persons with MF (motorbike) plates will pay NAf. 200 and those with MF (mopeds) will pay NAf. 50 in motor vehicle tax.
