2009-05-05

Government Suspends Granting of Used Car Licences

Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, the Hon. Karl Samuda has suspended the granting of certification to new businesses to operate as used car dealers, and has instructed that no new import licences must be issued for over-aged vehicles, unless specific approval is granted by him.

The Minister has also directed the Consumer Affairs Commission, CAC, to conduct an audit on all certified used car dealers over the next two weeks.

The Commerce Minister’s directive follows a meeting with stakeholders of the Used Car Industry, Ministry officials, and the Ministry’s Motor Vehicle Committee.

He has also instructed that no import licences must be granted to dealers who had shipped over-aged vehicles prior to receiving import licences. Any exception to this would be considered as a ‘special case’ to be examined on an individual basis, he said.

The Commerce Minister further stipulated that any request to amend the chassis number on any import licence for overaged vehicles will not be permitted, unless specific approval is granted by him.