Geerlings says stickers just to prove tax paid, plates must be on or in car | THE DAILY HERALD

PHILIPSBURG–The windshield stickers that will be made available for motorists who are against the 2019 number plates are just to prove to police that the 2019 motor vehicle tax has been paid.

  Motorists must still collect their 2019 number plates and if they will not be using them on their vehicles, they should always have them in their vehicles, Finance Minister Perry Geerlings said in response to questions during the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.

  Geerlings was asked by another section of the media whether government was working on adapting legislation to provide for the use of stickers, as the current legislation only refers to the use of number plates, which should be visibly placed at the front and rear of vehicles. Geerlings said the Legal Department is looking into this.

  “It is very clear that the number plate is the object that you are paying for. … You [motorist – Ed.] will be paying for the plate, but if you have a primary objection with the plate then we have the sticker. The sticker is just to make sure that the police know that you paid your dues, but the plates should always be in your car,” he said. He said talks are still being held with police on how to further fine-tune the issue of controls.

  Geerlings explained that the use of stickers was in response to complaints from some residents who did not support the 2019 plates, which have the words “50 years of Carnival 2019.”

  “The Council of Ministers discussed the problem at hand and we came to a solution of also having stickers available for those who do not wish to carry the plates. … People have to understand that the plate is the legal object of paying your dues, road tax [motor vehicle tax] and payment for the plate. But to reach a consensus and to appease the situation, we came up with the idea to also have a sticker available. This was discussed with the local Police Force, because you also have to pay attention as to how you will enforce it.

  “It is the plate that is essential, but for those who don’t wish to carry the plate, we have an option that they will have a sticker, but they will have to take the plate because the plate is what makes it workable. The question is: Are they going to put the plate on the car? If they do not put the plate on their car, at least have it in the car, but make sure the sticker is visible in your front windshield and this is how it is supposed to be rolled out.”

  Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever had said last week that a total of 33,000 motor vehicle stickers enhanced with security features have been ordered and were expected to arrive in the country late last week or early this week, after which the process to have them distributed was expected to start. It could not be ascertained whether the stickers are in the country.

  In the meantime, the deadline by law to pay motor vehicle tax is fast approaching. The law stipulates that the tax should be paid by February 28 of each year, which is in two weeks.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85203-geerlings-says-stickers-just-to-prove-tax-paid-plates-must-be-on-or-in-car

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