~ And use a sticker on windshield ~
PHILIPSBURG--Persons who are against the 2019 number plates can continue to use their 2018 plates on their vehicles, Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Wednesday.
He told reporters at the Council of Ministers press briefing that these drivers will have to use a sticker that will be placed on the interior of their windshield to serve as proof that they have paid their 2019 motor vehicle tax.
“Those who do not want to go with the new plates for 2019 can maintain the old ones for 2018. The sticker that goes inside the windshield will be placed there to show as proof that they have paid their road tax and fees for the year of 2019.
“We believe that we have found solution and we are busy getting the quotes that are necessary to make the right decision,” De Weever said, adding that this is being done in conjunction with Finance Minister Perry Geerlings. He said the details of the “permanent solution” should be finalised by the end of this week or next week.
Geerlings had told this newspaper last week that government was looking into the possibilities of making use of stickers to accommodate persons who do not want to drive around with the 2019 licence plate which reads “50 Years of Carnival.” He said at the time that the uproar against the plates had not been anticipated and instead of playing the blame game, government was trying to come up with amicable solutions to the matter.
He made clear that by law persons are still required to pay their annual motor vehicle tax and failure to do so by the deadline could result in a fine. He urged everyone to pay their 2019 motor vehicle tax. By law the deadline for motorists to pay their motor vehicle tax is February 28. Payment for the plates can be made at the Receiver's Office cashiers at the Government Building and plates can be picked up at the old Receiver's Office building on Pond Island, next to University of St. Martin (USM).
The 2019 number plates, which are yellow in colour, have “50 Years of Carnival 2019” emblazoned at the top and “St. Maarten” at the bottom. Some persons are against the plates because they do not support Carnival.
A total of 33,278 sets of plates for motor vehicles and 1,000 motorbike plates have been ordered.
Businesses that have a fleet of vehicles can submit packages with their documents for their plates to the Receiver’s Office by February 8 for these to be processed.
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 be expected to 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.
A valid insurance document and inspection card will be needed for payment to be processed.
