Government invites views on amendments to vehicle certificate regulations

The Government will conduct a public consultation to collect views on the proposed amendments to regulations regarding the issuance of the Certificate of Particulars of Motor Vehicle.

The public consultation will run until September 11 and will serve as basis for changes in the proposed legislative amendments.

The Government has published a consultation paper inviting views from the public on the said proposals.  

In accordance with the Road Traffic Regulations, the Commissioner for Transport is required to maintain a register of vehicles, which shall contain 18 items of particulars, including general information of registered vehicles as well as the full name, address and identity document of registered vehicle owners.

The Commissioner shall, on payment of a prescribed fee, currently $45, supply to any person making an application any particulars in the register in respect of a vehicle's Certificate of Particulars of Motor Vehicle.

"To better protect privacy and ensure the proper use of the personal particulars of registered vehicle owners kept in the register, the Government proposes to amend the Regulations to specify the purpose of the register and empower the Commissioner to release the personal particulars of a registered vehicle owner only under specified conditions,' said a government spokesperson.

 "Unless these conditions are met, only vehicle particulars would be provided in the Certificate. The proposed amendments also include a sanction provision to penalise those applicants who use the personal particulars of registered vehicle owners for purposes other than those declared," he added.