Caroni Licensing Division office 'overwhelmed'

A Licensing officer assists drivers in the long line of cars at the Caroni Licensing Office on the Southern Main Road, Caroni on January 7. - Faith Ayoung

LICENSING Division’s Caroni office is overwhelmed, says a licensing official, with a daily backlog forcing dozens of motorists to leave the compound and return the next day to complete their transactions.

Newsday visited the compound on January 7, and saw hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs waiting to be inspected, registered or transferred, with some drivers sleeping in their cars as they waited in line to get to one of the four inspection bays.

Speaking to Newsday on the condition of anonymity, the official said the system needs to be revamped as it cannot cater to the “rush” of motorists, after the recent announcement of an increase in fines for motor vehicle owners.

Fees for late renewal of permits were also increased but an administrative error led to some drivers being undercharged on December 6.

Under the new structure, drivers whose permits have been expired for six months or less now face a late fee of $650, an increase from the $600 charged on January 5.

For permits expired for more than six months but less than three years, the penalty has risen to $1,750, up from the previous $1,000.

The official was unable to offer any solution to the backlog, though, suggesting that is something the “higher ups” needed to do.

“I don’t know what can be done because I don’t know the bigger picture in terms of money and options et cetera, but I do know that what we have now can’t reliably deal with this level of daily traffic on the compound.”

Another official explained, “There are more people here now because they want to be compliant. They don't want to have to pay any hefty fines. So there is an increase in the number of vehicles this week.”

Motorists who complained of sitting in “longer than usual” lines insisted this should have been anticipated after the announcement.

“They should have known this was going to happen and made the necessary provision,” said an irate man.

Licensing officers came in for individual praise, though, as they stood in the sun trying to help motorists, directing them where to go and advising them of their options based on their intended transaction.

The officer even pointed out to motorists that their transactions would move faster if they pay via Linx at the mobile payment van on the compound rather than face the long lines at the cashiers inside.

Despite this, an elderly woman waiting to get her car inspected said the system has its flaws and emphasised it is not “customer friendly” enough for the public.

“I here since 7 am and I have to use the bathroom, but I am in this long line and I can’t even come out the car to do that. If I do, I have to either inconvenience everybody and keep the line waiting or pull aside and lose my spot in the line.”

She said it was “simple things like that” officials should have considered.

“Maybe have a carpark with a number system and a loudspeaker or something so people could leave and come back and wait for their number to call.”

Another man voiced his support for a similar system saying the current process hampers overall productivity in TT.

“It reach a point where people know when you have to do something at licensing with your car, it is a whole-day thing. Don’t bother to try and get anything else done that day.”

Asked to weigh in, some truck drivers agreed saying they had been there since 6.30 am and their employers knew they would have to pay them for an entire day’s work.

“My boss done know this is a dead day,” said a driver.

Another chimed in, “Them paying us to just sit in the truck and hope we get through. I don’t even know if I will get through today, but as long as I get paid for the day, it doh matter to me yes.”

Nearby business are also being affected as they say the long lines of vehicles are now queuing outside the compound and on the road, blocking the entrance to their businessplace.

When Newsday arrived, a truck trying to access a nearby business compound was forced to manoeuvre between cars and other trucks on a narrow side street before entering the compound.

Mark Ammon, the sales and marketing director at a nearby company, said it was perhaps time the government considered changes to the division’s operations to facilitate the increased number of customers.

“Perhaps they can expand the compound and get more officers and infrastructure, like inspection booths for example.

“Maybe they should also consider opening on a weekend or staying open later to get some transactions done and get things moving faster.”

But a female driver standing nearby laughed off the suggestion as she pointed to the overflowing bin near the security booth metres away.

“They ent even have money to clean the compound, you expect them to expand it?

She said successive governments have showed a lack of empathy for drivers and she expects it will only continue.

“They just inconveniencing people. It’s just tax for drivers. It have nothing to do with Kamla. I vote for this government but after this with all these fines...I will never vote again."

She exclaimed, “This is damn wickedness!”

Newsday tried to reach Transport Commissioner Clive Clark to find out whther there are any plans to change the current system or expand the compound but calls to his phone went unanswered.