(US Virgin Islands) The Department of Human Services (DHS), the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Virgin Islands Elections System, according to ACT NO. 805, hereby notifies the public that all persons who 60 years and older and persons with disabilities who live alone, are invited to enter their names into an Elder, Dependent, Adult and Disabled Person Disaster emergency assistance registry with one of the respective entities above.  Doing so will allow the Department of Human Services to contact the individual and provide assistance and support in the event of a manmade or natural disaster.

To Register: Please stop by the Department of Human Services, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Virgin Islands Elections System to fill out the registry form or simply call one of the DHS offices to provide your information and have the form filled out for you.   • St. Thomas – Department of Human Services Knud Hansen Building – Phone: (340)7740930 x 4109  • St. John – Department of Human Services Cruz Bay – Phone: (340)776-6334  • St. Croix – Richmond Senior Center – Phone: (340)773-6630

Please click here to get the form, (Elder, Dependent, Disabled Disaster Registry), and drop it off to one of the locations above.

###

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS— The Bureau of Motor (BMV) is excited to announce a new online vehicle registration system, which is set to launch on January 31, 2020.

Previously, registration required a trip to the BMV office which required long wait time. Residents can now “skip the line and renew online” with this new system, which benefits all vehicle owners, said BMV Director Barbara Jackson-McIntosh.

Vehicles that are 6 years old or less do not require a physical inspection and can completely renew their vehicles online. Vehicles between 6 to 10 years old are inspected every two years. Meanwhile, residents with vehicles older than 10 years must visit the BMV every year, get their vehicles inspected, and complete the renewal process online.

Online registration is fast and easy:
• First, register at BMV.vi.gov
• Then, access your account to make a payment. Choose whether you want your receipt printed or emailed for your records.
• All final registration documents and sticker will be sent through the mail. The BMV anticipates an overwhelming response so we project that it will take 4-6 weeks to get the new registration and sticker in the mail.
• To help streamline the process, insurance agencies must send customers insurance cards to insurance@bmv.vi.gov. In the subject line include the vehicle’s VIN# and the customer’s name

Director Jackson-McIntosh encourages customers to renew early to ensure they receive their renewal in a timely manner. Customers can renew their registration up to 3 months before their registration deadline, she said.

BMV’s “Skip the Line, Renew Online” initiative is one of several identified to improve efficiency and service within the agency. Later this year, additional online services will become available, including applying for driver’s licenses/identification cards, disabled placards, personalized license plate, and moving permits, along with online scheduling for the written and road tests.
Stay tuned for more as the BMV continues to rebrand, including updates on our new logo and transition to an electronic written test system, using tablets.

For more information please visit BMV.vi.gov.

####

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS— Director Barbara Jackson-McIntosh would like to inform the motoring public that as per Governor Albert Bryan Jr. press conference on March 19, 2020, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be temporarily closed from March 23, to April 6, 2020.

As Governor Bryan announced, driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations will be extended for 60 days during this state of emergency. However, the community can take advantage of the bureau’s online vehicle registration process. During this period, the bureau will waive the requirement for inspection for any customer that renew their vehicle registration online. If customers need assistance in setting up an account or for technical assistance, please email the bureau at info@bmv.vi.gov.

Director McIntosh thanks the community for their understanding during this public health emergency. As the bureau receives additional information, Director McIntosh will update the protocols as necessary. For more information, please feel to contact the BMV at (340) 713-4268 on St. Croix, (340) 774-4268 on St. Thomas, and (340) 776-6262 on St. John.

For up to date information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s website at: doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 88877. #COVID19USVI

####

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS— In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Director McIntosh and the staff of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are implementing the following procedures to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus:

• The bureau will be serving a limited number of customers daily, no more than 6 persons at a time will be allowed in the Vehicle registration renewal offices.
• Director McIntosh is encouraging the community to take advantage of the bureau’s online vehicle registration process. During the period from March 18, 2020 to May 31, 2020, the bureau will waive the requirement for inspection for any customer that renew their vehicle registration online. If customers need assistance in setting up an account or for technical assistance, please email the bureau at info@bmv.vi.gov
• All road tests and written test for the learner’s permit are cancelled until further notice.
• In coordination with the Virgin Islands Police Department, the bureau will automatically extend customers driver’s licenses that expired between March 16 and May 31, 2020 to June 15, 2020. Customers will not be charged late fees during this period.
• In the case of customers who are traveling and may need to renew their driver’s license or obtain an ID card, the customer must present proof of travel and will be seen by appointments only. To make an appointment, please call (340) 713-4268 on St. Croix, (340) 774-4268 on St. Thomas, and (340) 776-6262 on St. John.

Director McIntosh thanks the community for their understanding during this public health emergency. As the bureau receives additional information, Director McIntosh will update the protocols as necessary. For more information, please feel to contact the BMV at (340) 713-4268 on St. Croix, (340) 774-4268 on St. Thomas, and (340) 776-6262 on St. John.

For up to date information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s website at: doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 88877. #COVID19USVI

####

CHARLOTTE AMALIE- Effective May 1, 2019, motor vehicles in the Virgin Islands that are up to six years old will not have to undergo annual re-inspection. Vehicles that meet that criteria, however, must register annually with the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Vehicles in the U.S. Virgin Islands that are seven to eleven years old must be re-inspected every two years, which means that these vehicles will be inspected when they are seven years old, nine years old and eleven years old. Vehicles that meet these criteria must also register annually with BMV.

Vehicles that are twelve years old and above must be inspected and registered annually.

“Changing the vehicle inspection criteria is a step in the right direction,” Director Nominee Barbara Jackson-McIntosh said Tuesday.

“After careful analysis of the BMV database, it has shown that there is a significant number of vehicles that are up to six years old and are required to have full coverage insurance.  This indicates that if there is a malfunction or bodily damage to the vehicle, it is almost guaranteed that the owner will be able to fix the vehicle with the benefit of the insurance proceeds,” Jackson-McIntosh added.

Director Nominee Jackson-McIntosh also reminds the public that it is their responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy at all times. The Virgin Islands Police Department will issue fines for violations of the territory’s driving and registration laws and regulations under the Virgin Islands Code.

“Our goal is to reduce the wait time at the Bureau offices, as we strive to serve you better diligently. If you have questions or need further clarification, you can call our offices and speak to any Bureau of Motor Vehicle employee or email us for more information,” Director Nominee Jackson-McIntosh said.

###