USVI Public Records

(a) The duty of keeping the public highways, bridges, courses, breastwalls, guardrails, and private roads dedicated to public use, in good serviceable condition is incumbent upon the government of the Virgin Islands. (b) Supervision and control of the public highways shall be exercised by the Commissioner of Public Works. Under his supervision and control, all public highways shall be constructed, reconstructed, repaired, and maintained by the Department of Public Works. (c) All public highways, streets, bridges and guard rails shall, to the maximum extent possible, be constructed and maintained in accordance with the standards, specifications, and safety requirements promulgated by the Bureau of Public Roads of the United States Department of Transportation. However, the Commissioner shall establish the standards, specifications, and safety requirements for public highways, streets, bridges and guardrails that are a part of the public road system of the Territorial Government and not maintained by federal funds. The Commissioner shall establish a schedule of fees and fines for any individual, company, corporation that causes a local road to be damaged or fails to comply with the standards, established under this subsection. (d) All road hazards, such as narrow bridges, poles and other obstructions on or dangerously near public highways, and all road hazard signs, shall be painted or covered with a luminous paint or material of a type and color deemed appropriate by the Police Commissioner of Public Works in consultation with the Commissioner. Such hazards and warning signs shall be maintained in a clearly visible condition in such manner, at all times, by the Department of Public Works. The Commissioner shall mark the pavement adjacent to each roadway intersection with prominent arrows in contrasting colors indicating the direction in which the traffic must flow. Additional arrows must be marked on the pavement to ensure that an arrow appears at intervals of one quarter mile or less. (e) The Commissioner of Public Works shall undertake and be responsible for a public information and sign erection program upon the public streets and highways of the Virgin Islands, the purpose of which shall be to better identify the names of streets and public places and the locations of points of interest in the Virgin Islands and their distances from given points and to drive and keep left. (f) The Commissioner of Public Works shall, when erecting any sign pursuant to the provisions of this section, ensure that such sign will not unreasonably interfere with the ability of blind persons, as defined in section 160 of chapter 9 of Title 10, Virgin Islands Code, to move about in a safe manner; Provided, however, That nothing in this subsection shall require the Commissioner of Public Works to erect any sign in violation of applicable United States law or regulations. History: Amended Mar. 6, 1970, No. 2655, § 2, Sess. L. 1970, p. 40; July 17, 1972, No. 3258, Sess. L. 1972, p. 191; Dec. 7, 1982, No. 4767, § 4, Sess. L. 1982, p. 236. June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; May 2, 2001, No. 6403, § 4(a), Sess. L. 2001, p. 21; Mar. 8, 2010, No. 7149, § 11, Sess. L. 2009, p. 413; amended Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8266, § 1(a), (b)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2019, p. 172.

(a) The Commissioner of Public Works shall maintain official maps showing in detail the boundaries and rights of way of all public highways in the Virgin Islands. (b) The classification of public highways, and the width of rights of way thereof, shall be determined by the Commissioner of Public Works. (c) A list of all public highways which are added to, or discontinued from, the official maps shall be published by the Commissioner of Public Works in a newspaper in each of the towns of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted. (d) The Commissioner shall send written notice to the Lieutenant Governor of any public highway added to, or discontinued from the official maps within five wording days from any such addition or discontinuation. History: Amended Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7231, § 2, Sess. L. 2010, p. 252.

(a) When the construction of a new highway or the increase in width of an existing highway is authorized, the Commissioner of Public Works may accept, on behalf of the government of the Virgin Islands, deeds of gift from the owners of property affected thereby. If the interest of the public can be adequately served by the acquisition of easements, the Commissioner of Public Works may accept such easements on behalf of the government of the Virgin Islands. (b) If the necessary property can not be acquired under subsection (a) of this section, the right of eminent domain shall be exercised.

(a) The Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to receive offers to dedicate private roads to public use throughout the Virgin Islands. (b) Pending the approval of the dedication by the Legislature, the Commissioner may grade and effect temporary repairs to the road or roads contained in the offer, provided (1) that a showing is made that the road or roads to be dedicated are used by the public and (2) that a map showing the location of the road is presented to the Commissioner together with proof of the authority of the proposed grantor to effect the dedication. History: Apr. 1, 1964, No. 1158, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1964, p. 147.

The Department of Public Works may pave private roads at the request of the owners when the Commissioner determines that the road is used substantially by the public. History: Added Dec. 23, 2003, No. 6634, § 45, Sess. L. 2003, p. 144.

The Governor with the approval of the Legislature may grant permits to lay down tramways on the public highways, subject to such stipulations as are needed to insure that the general traffic will not be hindered and that the government of the Virgin Islands shall not be burdened with additional expense or work by reason of such tramways.

Subject to the approval of the Legislature, the Governor shall issue regulations for the maintenance of public peace on the public roads, for the security of the public on the public roads, and for the preservation of the trees growing along the roads. Such trees shall not be felled in that space six feet from the trenches.

Whoever violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not more than $100.

(a) No person shall cut, grade, construct or cover with concrete or any other surface material any private road or driveway which intersects with a public road without first applying for, and obtaining, a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works. (b) Such application shall be made on forms provided by the Commissioner of Public Works and shall be accompanied by a fee of $35.00. (c) No private road or driveway that intersects with a public road shall be constructed or surfaced in such a manner as to reduce the width of any public road or to prevent proper drainage along public roads or to deposit any dirt or rock or other material on the public road or to damage the main road. History: Added July 16, 1968, No. 2283, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 234; amended Oct. 31, 1998, No. 6269, § 7(b), Sess. L. 1998, p. 447.

It is declared that the establishment of a long-range comprehensive program for construction and improvement of roads and highways throughout the Virgin Islands is essential to the internal development of the Virgin Islands, and the works authorized under this chapter are declared essential public projects; the Governor of the Virgin Islands is authorized and directed to undertake the same in accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter. History: June 6, 1958, No. 295, § 1, Sess. L. 1958, p. 24.

Program (a) The Governor, with the assistance of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, shall cause to be prepared and shall submit to the President of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands a comprehensive report on a long-range program covering the Governor's four-year term in office for the construction and improvement of roads, sidewalks, highways, and road signage throughout the Virgin Islands. The comprehensive report must be completed and submitted to the Legislature not later than 180 days after the effective date of this section. Thereafter, the comprehensive report must be submitted to the Legislature not later than 180 days after the commencement of each gubernatorial term. (b) The report, in so far as practicable, must include surveys, plans, a statement of estimated costs, and suggested priority of projects for each district. History: June 6, 1958, No. 295, § 2, Sess. L. 1958, p. 24; amended Jan. 19, 2023, No. 8683, § 1(a), Sess. L. 2022, p. 383.

Recommendations In addition to the initial report provided for in section 42 of this title, the Governor shall also submit at the commencement of each regular session of the Legislature, a plan for specific projects to be undertaken consistent with the long-range road highway program, together with a report on accomplishments under the program in preceding years, as well as such recommendations relating to the further implementation, extension or modification of the same as he may consider appropriate. History: June 6, 1958, No. 295, § 3, Sess. L. 1958, p. 24.

In furtherance of the above, the Governor is authorized, through appropriate insular or cooperating Federal agencies to: (a) acquire improved or unimproved lands or interests in land by purchase, donation, exchange, or condemnation for any project herein authorized. (b) undertake, and prepare studies, investigations, estimates, plans and specifications, preliminary and final, of the projects authorized in this chapter in advance of undertaking projects. History: June 6, 1958, No. 295, § 4, Sess. L. 1958, p. 24.

Funds for the purpose of carrying out the projects authorized in this chapter, including preliminary and final surveys, studies, plans and estimates relative hereto, and for the purpose of insular contributions under any applicable Federal program of road or highway aid, shall be made available in annual appropriations by the Legislature out of funds derived from the Federal internal revenues for emergency relief and essential public projects, or out of any other special fund or funds heretofore or hereafter established by the Legislature for the purpose of road or highway construction, maintenance or extension. History: June 6, 1958, No. 295, § 5, Sess. L. 1958, p. 24.

(a) The following definitions shall be applicable in this section: (1) "Utility" or "Utilities" shall include the public corporations, private companies and authorities, or agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands that, pursuant to law or franchise, operate, maintain and/or supply public services to the Territory, such as water, electricity, gas, waste disposal, telephone, telegraph, cable TV or other communication services, including any fire or police signal system or street lighting system. (2) "Allowable costs" shall include the costs and expenses of a utility for the relocation or removal of utility facilities, the cost of installing the utility facilities in another new location, and the cost of any lands or any rights on lands, and any other rights acquired to accomplish the relocation or removal, provided such costs and expenses are "allowable costs" pursuant to 23 Code of Federal Reg23 Code of Federal Regulations applicable federal rules or regulations. (3) "Utility facilities" shall include the systems owned by utilities within the Territory that are furnishing water, electricity, gas, waste disposal, telephone service, telegraph service, cable T.V. or other communications services within the Territory. (4) "Highway project" shall include any highway or road project on the Federal-Aid Territorial Highway System that is funded in whole or in part by the Federal Highway Administration. (b) Whenever the Commissioner of Public Works determines that it is necessary that utility facilities which are or hereafter may be located in, on, along, over, or under any highway project shall be relocated or should be removed therefrom, the utility owning or operating the utility facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the orders of the Commissioner of Public Works; provided, that the highway project is on the Federal-Aid Territorial Highway System and is funded in whole or in part by the Federal Highway Administration; and the utility's allowable cost for such relocation or removal is reimbursed as required in this section. When utility facilities are removed or relocated as described above, the utility which owns or operates the same, and its successors or assigns, may maintain and operate the relocated utility facilities together with the necessary appurtenances in the new location if such location is properly owned by the Territory, for as long a period and upon the same terms and conditions as it had the right to maintain and operate the utility facilities in their former location. (c) The Commissioner of Finance, upon certification by the Commissioner of Public Works, shall reimburse a utility for the allowable costs of relocating the utility's facilities. (d) In order for a utility to be eligible for reimbursement, the construction, reconstruction, repair, relocation, maintenance or operation of utility facilities within the public right of way shall be in accordance with the Utility Accommodation Policy as developed by the Commissioner of Public Works and shall be consistent with 23 CFR. (e) In the event the FHWA's reimbursement participation is pursuant to a program that authorizes less than one hundred percent (100%) reimbursement to the utility, the Territory shall reimburse the utility for all allowable costs not otherwise paid by the FHWA. History: Added Sept. 11, 1992, No. 5811, § 1, Sess. L. 1992, p. 120.

Violations (a) The Department of Public Works shall establish procedures and minimum standards for the paving and construction of high quality roads in the Virgin Islands. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works shall assign a minimum of two civil engineers to establish the procedures and standards. The procedures must be reviewed and revisited from time to time by the required team of engineers and updated on an annual basis. (b) If expertise outside the Department of Public Works is needed, then the Commissioner shall seek an appropriation of funds from the Legislature to hire additional civil engineers to carry out this section. (c) The team of engineers shall establish the processes and techniques that must be used for mounting, grading and aggregating the roads. (d) Violation of this section subjects the violating contractor to the requirement to redo the project at no cost to the Government. History: Added Jan. 19, 2023, No. 8683, § 1(b), Sess. L. 2022, p. 384.

(a) In adopting and implementing "The Virgin Islands Complete Streets Act of 2022" the Government of the Virgin Islands shall plan, develop, and provide a more integrated, multimodal transportation network that will enhance the quality of life of all Virgin Islanders. All modes of transportation, including walking, bicycling, using public transportation, freight traffic and emergency response vehicles must be equitably considered in every stage of planning and implementation of the policy. All residents regardless of age, physical ability or economic status must be able to choose from diverse, integrated transportation options which are safe, affordable, convenient, and efficient. It is also the intent of this subchapter that the Virgin Islands Complete Street Task Force established in section 54 shall prepare the Territory for the future of transportation being built around the transition to vehicle electrification, engaging with the private sector and leaders across all levels of federal and local government to promote best practices and advocate for public policy solutions. (b) Although motor vehicle use will continue to serve personal needs, equitable consideration of other transportation modes must occur in every aspect of planning, construction of all new projects and the maintenance, repair or retrofit of such projects. Consideration of all users with particular emphasis on the prioritization of the needs of the most vulnerable residents and the most historically disenfranchised communities throughout all phases of development of the policy must be prioritized. To this end, adequate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks must be constructed on at least one side of all streets. In the commercial area of all towns where upgrading sidewalks would prove most expensive and would significantly hamper commercial activity and limit access, innovative planning, including pedestrian- only streets in combination with more off-street parking in multi-level parking must be explored. (c) To guarantee transparency and accountability and to identify all public concerns and assess transit needs of all users, adequate methods to provide public input through public hearings, including sufficient public notice of comment periods, must be provided. (d) Best practice guidelines must be adopted and immediately incorporated in all projects and phases of construction from the following resources, which include but are not limited to: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book; AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Designing and Operating Pedestrian Facilities; AASHTO Guide to the Development of Bicycle Facilities; Federal Highway Administration's Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks; Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context-Sensitive Approach and Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets; The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Urban Bikeway Design Guidelines and Urban Street Design Guidelines; US Access Board Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines; Safe Routes to School; America Walks; AARP's Livable Communities; Be Active; CDC's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; CDC's Healthy Places; and CDC's Guidelines on Physical Activity, and Healthy Community Design of Healthy Neighborhoods. (e) The resources listed in subsection (d) must be used as applicable, but their use does not preclude the use of other safe, innovative, or non-traditional design options that may be better suited for the Territory's needs. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 77, 78.

As used in this subchapter; (a) "AARP" means the American Association of Retired Persons. (b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Works. (c) "Complete Streets" means a transportation policy that is committed to the planning, designing, operating and maintenance of streets and roadways for the safe use of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit and para-transit users, motorists, freight carriers and emergency vehicles. (d) "Department" means the Department of Public Works unless otherwise specified. (e) "Funds" means any funds available from the federal dollars, disaster recovery funds, legislative appropriations and any existing funds for pending projects and other sources that are earmarked for the construction, maintenance or repair of roads, sidewalks, and highways in the Virgin Islands. (f) "Task Force" means the Complete Streets Task Force established in section 54. (g) "Users" means persons of all ages and abilities whether they are pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists, or public transportation riders. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 78, 79.

(a) The Commissioner is responsible for coordinating stakeholders to assess the needs of the Virgin Islands transit system and to plan new construction to improve the safety and accessibility of the Territory's streets and highways for all users. (b) The Commissioner shall ensure through direction and collaboration with other departments and agencies that the Complete Streets policy is integrated into existing transportation policies, plans and decision-making processes and transportation system design for the Government overall as well as private construction. (c) The Commissioner shall maintain a unified and coordinated approach through consistent communication with and between all stakeholders, especially the Task Force. (d) The commissioner shall also ensure that all plans, policies, and rules and regulations are updated where necessary to reflect the goals of this subchapter. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 79.

(a) There is established within the Department the Complete Streets Task Force. In addition to the Commissioner, who serves as its chair, the Task Force is composed of ten members, four members from St. Thomas, four members from St. Croix and two members from St. John, appointed by the Governor for a term of six years, and not subject to confirmation by the Legislature. (b) The members must be electors of the Virgin Islands. At least one member must be sixty-five years of age or older, and one member must have mobility disabilities, and to ensure that the most knowledgeable and experienced persons are appointed, the Governor shall select Task Force members in consultation with the heads of the Departments of Public Works; Property and Procurement; Planning and Natural Resources; Human Services; Health; Sports, Parks, and Recreation; Housing Finance Authority; AARP, the Virgin Islands Trail Alliance; and the Disability Rights Center. (c) The areas of expertise that must be represented on the Task Force include civil engineering, urban planning, urban forestry, and other relevant disciplines. (d) A quorum consists of six members, but members from all three islands must be present. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 79, 80.

(a) The Task Force shall function solely as an advisory committee in the designing and implementation of the Complete Streets policy. The Task Force shall use the best and latest design guidance, standards, and monitoring of the recommendations available to maximize design flexibility and innovation, remaining aware that design solutions should balance user and modal needs. Design criteria must not be purely prescriptive but must be based on the thoughtful application of engineering, architectural, and urban design principles. In addition to those national resources listed in section 51, the following local materials must be used and revised or updated when necessary, including, but not limited to: (1) Sidewalk Master Plan; (2) Territorial Transportation Improvement Plan; (3) Virgin Islands Bike Path Plan; (4) Virgin Islands Code; (5) Virgin Islands Subdivision Regulations; and (6) Virgin Islands Urban Forest Management Master Plan. (b) In formulating and implementing this subchapter, the Task Force shall ensure that the transportation system is designed to enhance and maximize the safety, security, comfort, and convenience of pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, assistive mobility device users, motorists, emergency responders, and routine commercial service providers. (c) When there are conflicting needs among users and modes, the Task Force shall employ the following prioritization: (1) While safety is paramount; pedestrians must be the primary focus territory wide, with; (A) Equitable consideration of the most vulnerable users; including but not limited to the disabled and the elderly; and (B) Equitable balance among all modes of transportation with an emphasis on the most disenfranchised communities; (2) All modes of transportation cannot receive the same type of accommodation and space on every street; (3) The overall goal is that everyone, young, old, and those of varying ability, can safely, comfortably, and conveniently travel throughout the territory while utilizing their choice of transportation; and (4) Infrastructure investments must be mapped, evaluated, and quantified to avoid creating or exacerbating pockets of disinvestment or underinvestment. (d) The execution of this policy must be flexible to permit context-sensitive design to the community's overall surroundings, its current and planned buildings and adjacent land uses and current and expected transportation needs of all users, which will help ensure that projects are appropriate within the context of the neighborhood, sensitive to community values, and balance social, economic, and environmental objectives. (e) This policy is applicable to all transportation construction projects pending as well as future projects, whether public or private. (f) The Task Force shall view Complete Streets as integral to everyday transportation decision-making practices and processes. The policy must be implemented through development services. (g) The Department of Public Works, the Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation, and other relevant departments and agencies named in this subchapter shall incorporate Complete Streets principles into all existing plans, manuals, checklists, regulations, and programs as necessary to effectuate the goals of this subchapter. (h) The Task Force shall review current design standards, including subdivision regulations, which apply to new roadway construction, to ensure that they reflect the best available design standards and guidelines and allow for the effective implementation of Complete Streets. (i) When available, the Task Force shall encourage staff professional development and training on non- motorized transportation issues through attending conferences, classes, seminars, and workshops and inter-agency sharing of information and ideas. (j) The Department staff shall identify all current and potential future sources of funding for street and sidewalk construction and improvements and recommend improvements to the project selection criteria to support Complete Streets projects. (k) The Task Force shall promote inter-departmental project coordination among agencies with an interest in the activities that occur within the public right-of-way in order to better use fiscal resources. (l) The Task Force shall develop and promote better and more effective ways to measure performance and collect data on how well the streets are serving the needs of all users. (m) Every Complete Streets project must include a public educational component to ensure that all users of the transportation system understand and can safely use Complete Streets project elements. (n) The Department shall formulate and adopt regulations where necessary and educate on and enforce proper road use behavior for all users and modes of transportation. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 80-82.

(a) The Task Force shall approach every transportation improvement and project phase as an opportunity to create safer, more accessible streets for all users. These improvements and phases include planning, programming, design, right-of-way acquisition, subdivision and land development, new construction, construction engineering, reconstruction, operation, repair, capital improvements, re-channelization projects and major maintenance, routine maintenance and rehabilitation. (b) Any exception to this policy, including for eligible private projects, must be submitted in writing and reviewed by the Task Force, with documentation of the reasons for the exception. (c) The following exceptions may be considered for approval, when adequately documented if: (1) An accommodation is not necessary on corridors where specific user groups are legally prohibited; (2) Costs of accommodation are excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use, when factoring in both current economic conditions and economic benefits as well as initial capital outlay, but do not warrant an exception in areas that have historically not been maintained and as a result the one-time retrofit or rebuild is expensive; (3) A documented absence of current and future needs exists; (4) Transit accommodations are not required where there is no existing or planned transit service; (5) Routine maintenance, such as sweeping, mowing, and spot repair which does not change the roadway geometry or operations and as such, does not trigger this policy; or (6) A reasonable and equivalent project existing along the same corridor that is already programmed to provide facilities exempted from the specific project at hand. (d) Accountability measures tied to performance measures must be used when granting exemptions, and impacts are estimated as needed. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 82, 83.

(a) This policy applies to The Department of Public Works transportation system in the public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, streets, alleys, sidewalks, and all other connecting pathways. The owners and operators of private streets, sidewalks, alleys, and parking lots shall also adhere to and fully support this policy through funding requirements and development review. (b) Recognizing that many transportation users employ a combination of modes of travel, including walking, and public transport or driving and walking, network connectivity must be fluent to provide safe, efficient and convenient accessibility to all users. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 83.

(a) The Commissioner and the Task Force shall make a report to the Governor, the Legislature and the Committee on Housing Transportation and Telecommunications or successor committee bi-annually, demonstrating progress made in implementing this policy using the following performance measures: (1) Total miles of dedicated or identified shared-use bike facilities built or striped; (2) Linear feet of new pedestrian accommodation; (3) Number and type of ADA accommodations built; (4) Number of transit accessibility accommodations built; (5) Number of new curb ramps installed along city streets; (6) Number and type of traffic calming devices installed; (7) Number of new street trees planted 30 feet from the side of the main road; (8) Crosswalk and intersection improvements; (9) Percentage of transit stops accessible via sidewalks and curb ramps; (10) Annual average daily traffic (AADT) data; (11) Bicycle and pedestrian count data; (12) Transit ridership data, including automated passenger counter, (APC) data; (13) Rate of people biking, walking, and using transit; (14) Rate of children walking or biking to school; (15) Citizen input; and (16) Any recommendations for revision of existing statutes, regulations or policies and procedures which will facilitate the total integration of Complete Streets into the Virgin Islands transportation system. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 83, 84.

(a) In addition to providing safe and accessible streets in the Virgin Islands, care must be given to incorporate best management practices for addressing storm water runoff, and modern, innovative storm water infrastructure must be integrated into the construction/reconstruction or retrofitting of streets and sidewalks. (b) When implemented, Complete Streets must ensure beautiful, interesting, vibrant, and comfortable places that will enhance the livability of the Virgin Islands territory wide. As part of the Virgin Islands public realm, streets must be held to a higher standard for urban design at a human scale. Multi-modal accommodations and all territorial projects in the right-of-way must be approached as opportunities to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the Virgin Islands and its public realm through the thoughtful creation of place. Streetscapes must protect and include street trees and native plants, incorporate landscape architecture, public art, street furniture, pedestrian amenities and wayfinding signage, sidewalk cafes and street-facing retail, places of respite, and other elements that enhance the attractiveness of the Virgin Islands and foster healthy economic development. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8548, § 2, Sess. L. 2022, p. 84.

As used in this part- "automobile for hire" means a motor vehicle operated for the purpose of transporting passengers for hire in the Virgin Islands and shall include motor vehicles operated for the purpose of conducting tours whether or not on fixed routes or on established schedules, but shall not include motor vehicles operated as motor busses or passenger-carrying trucks subject to regulation under the provisions of chapter 1, Title 30 of this code nor motor vehicles owned by the Government of the Virgin Islands or by the Government of the United States nor drive-yourself motor vehicles for lease or courtesy rides from drive yourself motor vehicle operators with current lease agreements with the Port Authority to their customers to or from their rental facility; "Bureau" means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; "dealer" means any person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles; "Director" means the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; "motor vehicle" includes all vehicles propelled by power other than muscular, except those running upon rails or tracks, road rollers, tractors, and self-propelled plows and golf carts used solely for recreational purposes on golf courses and not on public roads or highways; "operator" includes a chauffeur, driver, or any person operating a motor vehicle; "owner" includes any person owning a motor vehicle, or renting a motor vehicle or having the exclusive use thereof under a contract or lease, or otherwise; "Passengers for hire" means occupants of a motor vehicle (1) who pay a fixed rate or fee for transportation in a motor vehicle operated on the highways of the Virgin Islands; or (2) whose transportation in a motor vehicle operated on the highways of the Virgin Islands is furnished as incidental to the use, or as part of the cost for the use of any hotel, motel, guest house or other tourist-oriented facility, nor limousines, which for purposes of this title, are defined as any large, luxurious sedan, driven by a chauffeur and for which the principal terms of service are contractually arranged and settled in advance. "public road or highway" includes all roads, highway and parking areas open for use by the public; and "town limits" means the territorial limits of the towns of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted, fixed in sections 81, 82 and 83 of Title 1. "trailer" includes every vehicle having an overall length of more than 8 feet without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle. "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. History: Amended June 1, 1967, No. 1990, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 327; Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, § 1, Sess. L. 1971, p. 18; Feb. 4, 1982, No. 4681, § 3, Sess. L. 1982, p. 37; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 9, 1994, No. 5988, § 1, Sess. L. 1994, p. 89; Oct. 13, 1994, No. 6031, § 8, Sess. L. 1994, p. 234; May, 28, 2005, No. 6732, § 15, Sess. L. 2005, p. 154; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; May 17, 2006, No. 6834, § 1, Sess. L. 2006, p. 46; July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 1(a)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2009, p. 118; Nov. 19, 2012, No. 7327, § 8(1.), (2.), Sess. L. 2011, p. 303.

The provisions of this part requiring registration licenses, license plates, and operators' licenses shall apply to motor vehicles belonging to the Federal or local governments with their consent.

A copy or summary of this part, sections 1381 and 1382 of Title 14, and such other provisions of laws and regulations as the Commissioner deems necessary, shall be furnished with the license to each person licensed under the provisions of this part. The heads of Federal activities and local government departments shall be furnished a sufficient number of such copies or summaries to enable them to distribute the same to operators under their supervision upon application to the Commissioner.

(a) The Bureau shall develop standards for, establish, and administer the Virgin Islands Motorcycle Safety Education Program. (b) The program must provide mandatory rider training courses for novice riders in sufficient numbers and at locations throughout the territory as necessary to meet the anticipated needs and requirements of residents who seek to operate a motorcycle in the territory. (c) The program must include rider training courses for experienced riders, activities to increase motorcyclists' alcohol and drug effects awareness, motorcycle driver improvement efforts, motorcycle licensing improvement efforts, program promotion activities, and other efforts to enhance motorcycle safety through education, including enhancement of public awareness of motorcycles. (d) The Director shall appoint a Program Coordinator to oversee and direct the program. (e) Standards for the motorcycle rider training courses, including standards for course content, delivery, curriculum, materials, student evaluation, quality assurance and training, professional development and approval of instructors must comply with the requirements of this section and must meet or exceed nationally recognized standards prescribed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. (f) Rider Training Courses. The program must offer motorcycle rider training courses at a fixed location, such as the University of the Virgin Islands, designed to develop and instill the knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills necessary for the proper operation of a motorcycle. The courses must be taught only by instructors approved under this section. (1) Rider training courses must be open to any legal resident of the territory, as defined in 18 V.I.C. § 262, who either holds a valid driver's license for any classification or who is eligible for a motorcycle learner's permit. (2) The Bureau shall issue certificates of completion in a manner and form prescribed by the Director to persons who satisfactorily complete the requirements of a motorcycle rider training course offered or authorized by the territory's program. (3) The Bureau may exempt applicants for a motorcycle operator's license or endorsement from the licensing skill test, if they present satisfactory evidence of successful completion of an approved rider training course. (g) Instructor Training and Approval. The Bureau shall approve instructors for the motorcycle rider training courses. No person may be approved as an instructor unless the person meets the requirements of this section and regulations of the Bureau or unless the person holds a valid instructor certification issued by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. (1) The program must offer instructor training courses as needed to prepare instructors to teach the motorcycle rider training courses. Successful completion of the instructor training course requires the participant to demonstrate knowledge of the course material, knowledge of proper motorcycle operation, motorcycle riding proficiency, and the necessary aptitude for instructing students. No person may be approved as an instructor unless the person has successfully completed the instructor training course or an equivalent course offered in another jurisdiction. (2) The Bureau shall establish additional requirements for the approval of instructors, including but not limited to the following: (A) The person must have a high school diploma or its equivalent; (B) The person must be at least 21 years of age and hold a valid motorcycle operator's license or endorsement; (C) The person must have at least three years of recent motorcycle riding experience; (D) The person's driver's license must not have been suspended or revoked at any time during the preceding two years for any offense; (E) The person must not have been convicted of a felony; and (F) Notwithstanding requirements paragraph (2) of thiparagraph (2) the final approval of instructors is determined by the Director, whose decision is final. (3) In the case of a nonresident, the Bureau shall obtain and review the person's driving record from the jurisdiction where the person is licensed prior to approval or re-approval of the person as an instructor. (4) The Bureau shall annually review the status of all approved instructors and shall withdraw approval from any instructor who is no longer qualified under the requirements of this section. The Bureau shall immediately withdraw approval of an instructor when it receives adequate notice of any disqualification. (h) Rider Licensing. Riders under age 18 must complete a motorcycle education course. Any Rider applying for a motorcycle license must take and pass a written and road test. (i) Implementing Authority. The Bureau shall adopt rules and regulations that are necessary to carry out the Motorcycle Safety Education Program. (1) The Bureau may enter into contracts with public or private entities for course delivery and for the provision of services or materials necessary for implementation of the program. (2) The Bureau may offer motorcycle rider training courses directly and may approve courses offered by independent, public or private entities as authorized program courses if they are administered and taught in full compliance with standards established for the territory's program. (3) The Bureau may establish reasonable enrollment fees to be charged for persons who participate in motorcycle rider training courses offered by the Bureau and for persons who participate in approved courses offered by independent public or private entities. (j) Advisory Committee. The Director shall establish a program advisory committee consisting of 5 persons representing various interests in motorcycle safety to advise and assist the Program Coordinator in developing, establishing, and maintaining the program. The committee shall monitor program implementation and report to the Director as necessary with recommendations. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses while engaged in committee business. (k) Program Accountability. The Director must prepare biennially a report on the program to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature and to be made available to the public. The report must be completed with the assistance of the Program Coordinator and the program advisory committee. It must include the number and location of various courses offered, the number of instructors approved, the number of students trained in various courses, such other information about program implementation as the Director shall deem appropriate, and an assessment of the overall impact of the program on motorcycle safety in the territory. The report must also provide a complete accounting of revenue receipts of the Motorcycle Safety Education Program Fund and of all monies expended under the program. (l) Program Exemption. Any person, agency, or entity offering a motorcycle rider training course under proper authority of this section and any approved instructor providing instruction as part of any such course shall be exempt with respect to that activity from the requirements of this section. History: Added July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 1(b), Sess. L. 2009, pp. 118-121.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act". History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

It is the intention of the legislature that the purposes of the "Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act" are: 1. To facilitate vehicle sales and sales financing within the Virgin Islands by simplifying procedures for transfers and the creation and perfection of liens; 2. To curtail losses by buyers, both consumers and dealers, from purchases of stolen vehicles and vehicles subject to defects in title and undisclosed liens; 3. To provide the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and other law enforcement with adequate legal tools to combat the trafficking of stolen vehicles; 4. To furnish convenient evidence of vehicle ownership and lien status and to make easier not only the transfer of vehicles but also their use by the Virgin Islands consumer as collateral for lower cost loans for emergency purposes; 5. To permit the combined advantages of centralized issuance of certificates of title for vehicles by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the decentralized filing, with local officials on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, of applications relating to certificates; 6. To prevent the invasion by the Federal Government into the regulation of motor vehicle certificates of title in the Virgin Islands and the other states and territories as threatened by proposed federal legislation; 7. To establish uniformity of state and territorial laws governing certificates of title for vehicles and their meaning and effect and to remove existing impediments to the free transfer of vehicles from one jurisdiction to another; and 8. To accomplish the above objectives with due consideration for the convenience of buyers and owners of vehicles and the administrative problems of motor vehicle administrators, dealers and manufacturers and of lending and financing agencies. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

As used in this chapter: "Bureau" means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. "Identifying number" means the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer or by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of identifying the vehicle. The term shall include any numbers or letters assigned by the manufacturer for the purpose of identifying a part of a vehicle and any such number placed on a part in accordance with this chapter or regulations of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of identifying it. "Implement of husbandry" means every vehicle designed or adapted and used exclusively for agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved upon the highways. "Junk vehicle" means any vehicle which is incapable of operation or use on the highways and which has not resale value, except as a source of parts or scrap. "Lienholder" means a person holding a security interest in a vehicle. "Mail" means to deposit in the United States mail properly addressed and with postage prepaid. "Manufacturer" means every person engaged in the business of constructing or assembling vehicles of a type required to be registered hereunder at an established place of business in this Territory. "Manufacturer's statement or origin" means the original written instrument or document required to be executed and delivered by the manufacturer to his agent or dealer, or a person purchasing direct from the manufacturer, certifying the origin of the vehicle. "Odometer" means an instrument for measuring and recording the actual distance a motor vehicle travels while in operation, other than an auxiliary odometer designed to be reset by the operator of the motor vehicle for the purpose of recording mileage on trips. "Owner" means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security. "Pole trailer" means every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections. "Rebuilt salvage vehicle" means any salvage vehicle which has been rebuilt and inspected for the purpose of registration and title. "Reconstructed vehicle" means every vehicle of a type required to be registered hereunder materially altered from its original construction by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts, new or used. "Salvage vehicle" means any vehicle which is damaged by collision, fire, flood, wind, accident, trespass, or other occurrence to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle for legal operation on the highway exceeds its fair market value immediately prior to damage. "Salvage vehicle purchaser" or "junk vehicle purchaser" means any person other than an insurer who purchases or otherwise obtains possession of a salvage vehicle or a junk vehicle. "Security agreement" means a written agreement which reserves or creates a security interest. "Security interest" means an interest in a vehicle reserved or created by agreement and which secures payment or performance of an obligation. The term includes the interest of a lessor under a lessee intended as security. A security interest is "perfected" when it is valid against third parties generally, subject only to specific statutory exceptions. "Special mobile equipment" means every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and only incidentally operated or moved over a highway, including but not limited to: ditch digging apparatus, street sweepers, golf carts, well boring apparatus and road construction and maintenance machinery such as asphalt spreaders, bituminous mixers, bucket loaders, tractors other than truck tractors, ditchers, levelling graders, finishing machines, motor graders, road rollers, scarifiers, earth moving carry-alls and scrapers, power shovels and drag lines, and self-propelled cranes and earth moving equipment. The term does not include house trailers, dump trucks, truck mounted transit mixers, cranes or shovels, or other vehicles designed for the transportation of persons or property to which machinery has been attached. "Specially constructed vehicle" means every vehicle of a type required to be registered hereunder not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model, or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and not materially altered from its original construction. "Transfer on death beneficiary" means a beneficiary who receives a designation that allows him to receive vehicular assets at the time of a person's death without going through probate. "Vehicle identification number" means the vehicle identification number or any other numbers, letters, symbols, data, or combination thereof placed on a vehicle or vehicle part for purposes of identification by the manufacturer or at the direction of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or at the direction of proper authorities in accordance with the laws of the United States, another state, territory or country. The term includes any component part, engine, replacement, assigned, or transmission identification number, and a vehicle identification number derivative. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453; amended Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8250, § 1(a), Sess. L. 2019, p. 149; amended Dec. 31, 2024, No. 8966, § 1(a), Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) Except as provided in section 205 of this chapter, every owner of a vehicle which is in the Virgin Islands and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall make application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a certificate of title of the vehicle. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall not register or renew the registration of a vehicle unless a certificate of title has been issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the owner or an application therefor has been delivered by the owner to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

No certificate of title need be obtained for: 1. A vehicle owned by the Government of the United States unless it is registered in the Virgin Islands; 2. A vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration; or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing; 3. A vehicle owned by a nonresident of the Virgin Islands and not required by law to be registered in this Territory; 4. A vehicle moved solely by human or animal power; 5. An implement of husbandry; 6. Special mobile equipment; 7. A self-propelled wheelchair or tricycle used by a handicapped person; 8. A pole trailer. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

The owner of an implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment may apply for and obtain a certificate of title on it. All of the provisions of this chapter are applicable to be certificate of title so issued, except that a person who receives a transfer of an interest in the vehicle without knowledge of the certificate of title is not prejudiced by reason of the existence of the certificate, and the perfection of a security interest under this chapter is not effective until the lienholder has complied with the provisions of applicable law which otherwise relate to the perfection of security interests in personal property. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

(a) The application for a certificate of title of a vehicle in this Territory shall be made by the owner to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on the form it prescribes and shall contain: 1. The name, residence and mailing address of the owner; 2. A description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exist: its make, model, identifying number, type of body, the number of cylinders, odometer reading and whether new or used; 3. The date of purchase by applicant the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired and the name and address of any first priority lienholder and the date of the security agreement; 4. Any further information the Bureau of Motor Vehicles reasonably requires to identify the vehicle and to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or non-existence of security interests in the vehicle; 5. The prior title in the name of the seller together with all assignments into the name of the applicant purchaser and all such assignments shall contain the following statement: "I certify that the odometer reading is ____________________ miles and to the best of my knowledge, reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described herein, unless one of the following statements is checked. [ ] 1. The amount of mileage stated is in excess of 99,999 miles. [ ] 2. The mileage stated is not the actual mileage. [ ] 3. The vehicle is a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,000 pounds or more." (b) If the application refers to a vehicle purchased from a dealer, it shall contain the name and address of any first priority lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the sale and the date of the security agreement and be signed by the dealer as well as the owner, and the dealer shall promptly mail or deliver the application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another state, territory, or country, the application shall contain or be accompanied by: 1. The certificate of title issued by the other state, territory, or country, which shall be transmitted by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to that state, territory, or country for cancellation; 2. Any other information and documents the Bureau of Motor Vehicles reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the vehicle and the existence or non-existence of security interests in it; and 3. The certificate of a person authorized by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that the identifying number of the vehicle has been inspected and found to conform to the description given in the application, and any other proof of the identity of the vehicle the Bureau of Motor Vehicles reasonably requires. (d) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another country by a person on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may accept a completed form issued by the United States Department of Defense as evidence of ownership. (e) When the application refers to a vehicle which has been specially constructed: 1. The application shall be accompanied by any salvage certificate of title previously issued; 2. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall assign a vehicle identification number to the vehicle pursuant to the procedures established under section 209, subsection (c) of this chapter; and 3. Before any certificate of title is issued, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other authorized government official shall conduct a safety inspection pursuant to chapter 41, section 461, of this title, and shall determine that the major parts and components, as specified by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, used to build or reconstruct the vehicle have not been stolen. (f) When the application is for a vehicle which is a rebuilt, salvage, or reconstructed vehicle, the provisions of section 224 of this title shall be applicable. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, upon receiving an application for a certificate of title, shall check the vehicle identification number shown in the application against the records of vehicles required to be maintained by section 209 of this chapter and against the records of stolen and converted vehicles as maintained by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In the case of a vehicle which was last registered or titled in another state, territory, or country, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall transmit the vehicle identification number promptly to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall examine any surrendered certificate of title to determine if it has been forged, altered or counterfeited. (c) Whenever any certificate of title issued by this Territory is returned by another state, territory or country for cancellation, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall: 1. Examine the certificate of title to determine if it has been forged, altered or counterfeited; 2. Check the vehicle identification number against the records required to be maintained by section 209 of this chapter and against the records of stolen and converted articles as maintained by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and 3. Notify the submitting jurisdiction as soon as practicable of any irregularity. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title for the vehicle. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued and cancelled by it: 1. Under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle; 2. Under the identifying number of the vehicle; 3. Alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and, in the discretion of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, in any other method it determines. (c) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall create a procedure which is in conformity with the "Replacement Vehicle Identification Number System" of the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission for the assignment of vehicle identification numbers for specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles as well as for the replacement of vehicle identification numbers or other identifying numbers for vehicles or vehicle parts which are missing or defaced. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) Each certificate of title issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall contain: 1. The date issued; 2. The name, residence, and mailing address of the owner; 3. The names and addresses of any first priority lienholder, as shown on the application or, if the application is based on a certificate of title, as shown on the certificate; 4. The title number assigned to the vehicle; 5. A description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exist: its make, model, identification number, type of body, number of cylinders, whether new or used, and, if a new vehicle, the date of the first sale of the vehicle for use; 6. The odometer date, miles and status (i.e.; actual, not actual, or over the mechanical limits); 7. A statement that the title can only be cancelled by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and 8. Any other data the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes. (b) The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title by the owner, assignment and warranty of title by a dealer and the assignment or release of the security interest of a lienholder, and may contain forms for applications for a certificate of title by a transferee and the naming of a lienholder. (c) A certificate of title issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it. (d) A certificate of title for a vehicle is not subject to garnishment, attachment, execution or other judicial process, but this subsection does not prevent a lawful levy upon the vehicle. (e) Each certificate of title issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall be on material designed to show evidence of counterfeiting or tampering and shall contain at least the minimum security standards as recommended by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

The certificate of title shall be mailed to the first priority lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

If the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may register the vehicle but shall either: (a) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as to the applicant's ownership of the vehicle and that there are not undisclosed security interests in it; or (b) As a condition of issuing a certificate of title, require the applicant to file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles a bond in the form prescribed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this Territory. The bond shall be in an amount equal to one and one-half times the value of the vehicle as determined by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and lienholder and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss or damage, including reasonable attorney's fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title of the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of three years or prior thereto if the vehicle is no longer registered in the Virgin Islands and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, unless the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if it has reasonable grounds to believe that: (a) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle; (b) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement; or (c) The applicant fails to furnish required information or documents or any additional information the Bureau of Motor Vehicles reasonably requires. (d) The application is for a vehicle that has been issued a certificate of destruction. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Dec. 11, 2005, No. 6761, § 4, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first priority lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The duplicate certificate of title shall contain the legend "This is a duplicate certificate and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate." It shall be mailed to the first priority lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. For the purposes of this subsection, "legal representative" means executor, administrator, attorney in fact, or trustee in bankruptcy, as distinguished from a mere agent. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a new certificate of title to a transferee upon application made on a duplicate until 15 days after receipt of the application. (c) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) If an owner transfers his interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transfers in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and cause the certificate and assignment to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) Except as provided in section 216 of this chapter, the transferee shall, promptly after delivery to him of the vehicle, execute the application for a new certificate of title in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and cause the certificate and application to be mailed or delivered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security agreement, either deliver the certificate to the transferee for delivery to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or, upon receipt from the transferee of the owner's assignment, the transferee's application for a new certificate, the registration card, and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his security agreement. (d) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder, and the parties shall comply with the provisions of section 253 of this chapter. (e) Except as provided in section 216 of this chapter and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section and section 218 of this chapter have been complied with; however, an owner who has delivered possession of the vehicle to the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this section and section 218 of this chapter requiring action by him is not liable as owner for any damages thereafter resulting from operation of the vehicle. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) If a dealer buys a vehicle and holds it for resale and procures the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder within 10 days after delivery to him of the vehicle, he need not send the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles but, upon transferring the vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the names and addresses of the transferee and of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of his security agreement, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with the transferee's application for a new certificate. (b) Every dealer shall maintain for five years a record in the form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes of every vehicle bought, sold or exchanged by him, or received by him for sale or exchange, which shall be open to inspection during reasonable business hours by a representative of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or any peace officer as defined by Title 5, section 3561, Virgin Islands Code. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, promptly mail or deliver to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the last certificate of title, if available, proof of the transfer, and his application for a new certificate in the form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes. (b) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security agreement by a lienholder named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the last certificate of title, his application for a new certificate in the form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on behalf of the lienholder that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement. If the lienholder succeeds the interest of the owner and holds the vehicle for resale, he need not secure a new certificate of title but, upon transfer to another person, shall promptly mail or deliver to the transferee or to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the certificate, affidavit and other documents required to be sent to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by the transferee. (c) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles upon request of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or lienholder named in the old certificate. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) An application for a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the registration card and the required fee when mailed or delivered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) An application for the naming of a lienholder or his assignee on a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the registration card and the required fee when mailed or delivered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) A transferor of a vehicle, other than a dealer transferring a new vehicle, shall deliver to the transferee at the time of the delivery of possession of the vehicle the registration card for the vehicle. (d) If the application refers to a new vehicle it shall be accompanied by the manufacturer's statement of origin for the vehicle. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(A) Senior citizens or handicapped persons shall be exempt from the payment of the certificate of title fee. (1) For the purposes of this section, "a senior citizen" is defined as a person sixty years of age or older, as verified by a senior citizen I.D. card issued by the Department of Human Services, and who is domiciled in the Virgin Islands. (2) For the purposes of this section, "a handicapped person" is defined as a person who is physically or mentally challenged. History: Added Jan. 29, 1996, No. 6091, § 4, Sess. L. 1996, p. 5.

(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail it to the first priority lienholder named in it or if none, to the owner. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to it, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall make demand therefor from the holder thereof. (c) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall file and retain for five years every surrendered certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the vehicle designated therein. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

Certificate (a) When an insurer acquires ownership of a vehicle which it determines to be a junk or salvage vehicle, it shall within fifteen (15) days following acquisition of the certificate of title, surrender the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) If ownership of a junk or salvage vehicle has not been acquired by an insurer, the owner must surrender the certificate of title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prior to any sale or disposition of the vehicle and not later than thirty (30) days from the date that the vehicle becomes a junk or salvage vehicle. (c) Any person acquiring ownership of a junk or salvage vehicle purchased in a jurisdiction that does not require surrender of the certificate of title or comparable ownership document shall surrender the title or document to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within fifteen (15) days following delivery of the certificate of title or ownership document. (d) At the time of surrender of the certificate of title, where the vehicle is determined to be a salvage vehicle, and upon proper application therefor, a salvage certificate shall be issued to the owner on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (e) At the time of surrender of the certificate of title or salvage certificate, where the vehicle is determined by its owner to be a junk vehicle, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall issue a junk certificate to the owner pursuant to the provisions of section 223 of this chapter, and mark its records in such manner that no further certificate of title or salvage certificate shall be issued with respect to the vehicle. (f) When a certificate of title, salvage certificate, or other comparable ownership document issued by another jurisdiction is surrendered pursuant to this subchapter, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall promptly notify the other jurisdiction of such surrender, the vehicle's year, make, vehicle identification number, and the reason for the title surrender. (g) No person shall knowingly operate or use a salvage vehicle on the roads or highways of the Virgin Islands except when a special temporary permit has been issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles pursuant to application for certification of title or for a scheduled vehicle inspection required under chapter 41, section 461, of this title. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

A salvage certificate shall be prima facie evidence of ownership of a salvage vehicle. A salvage certificate shall include an odometer disclosure provision, a control number, and a statement that such salvage vehicle can only be re-titled after the inspection required by section 224, subsection (b) of this chapter. The salvage certificate shall also include the requirements of section 210, subsection (a), items (1), (2), (5), (7), and (8), and subsection (e) of this title. The person named in a salvage certificate or an assignee may possess, retain, transport, sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the salvage vehicle; or may destroy, dismantle, modify or rebuild the salvage vehicle. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

(a) No salvage vehicle purchaser shall possess or retain a salvage vehicle which does not have a salvage certificate. The salvage vehicle purchaser shall display the salvage certificate upon the request of any appropriate public official. In the event of the sale or assignment of the salvage vehicle, the salvage certificate shall be assigned to the new salvage vehicle purchaser, who shall make application for a new salvage certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within fifteen (15) days of sale or assignment. (b) The person named in the salvage certificate or an assignee shall surrender the salvage certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles not later than five (5) days after the salvage vehicle is destroyed or dismantled. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) At the time a person owning a junk vehicle surrenders the certificate of title or salvage certificate, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall issue a junk certificate to the person which shall contain the vehicle year, make, vehicle identification number, and a control number. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall record the name, residence and mailing address of the person, the control number, and other applicable information as deemed necessary by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The junk certificate issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall be retained by the person owning the junk vehicle and shall be prima facie evidence of ownership. Any subsequent transfer of ownership of a junk vehicle shall be by assignment on the junk certificate and the junk vehicle purchaser shall make application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a new junk certificate within fifteen (15) days of such assignment. No junk vehicle purchaser or assignee shall possess a junk vehicle without a junk certificate and such person shall display such junk certificate upon the request of any appropriate public official. Within ten (10) days after the junk vehicle is demolished for scrap, the owner of such vehicle shall surrender the junk certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) A junk vehicle purchaser or a salvage vehicle purchaser processing a junk vehicle or a salvage vehicle by crushing, compacting, or by other similar methods shall not remove the vehicle identification number or other identification numbers and shall not be liable for defacing, obliterating, or destroying of such numbers necessarily incident to such processing. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) Prior to operating a reconstructed vehicle or a rebuilt salvage vehicle, the owner shall present the vehicle, together with the salvage certificate if it is a rebuilt salvage vehicle, or the certificate of title if it is a reconstructed vehicle, and appropriate receipts or bills of sale establishing ownership and the source of all parts and component parts used to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other authorized governmental official for inspection. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other authorized governmental official shall inspect the vehicle to ascertain that it is in compliance with statutory equipment requirements; that if the vehicle is a rebuilt salvage vehicle, it is the same vehicle for which the salvage certificate has been issued; and, with respect to a reconstructed vehicle, that there is prima facie evidence of the vehicle's ownership. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other authorized governmental official shall verify the source and ownership of any parts and component parts used to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle. (c) Following inspection by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or other authorized governmental official, and prior to operating a rebuilt salvage vehicle or reconstructed vehicle on the highways, the owner shall make application for a new certificate of title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The owner shall submit the application, the salvage certificate if it is a rebuilt salvage vehicle, and all relevant receipts or bills of sale for parts or component parts together with a copy of the inspection report, and the appropriate fee to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (d) If the vehicle identification number of the vehicle has been removed or falsified, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall, pursuant to the procedures of section 209, subsection (c) of this chapter affix to or inscribe on the vehicle the vehicle identification number of the vehicle if unknown, assign a vehicle identification number to the vehicle. (e) Upon receipt of a properly completed application, together with the required documentation and fees, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall issue a certificate of title which shall include the notation "rebuilt salvage" or "reconstructed." The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall recognize other jurisdiction's title notations and carry forward such notations or equivalent notations on titles subsequently issued. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) The owner of a vehicle titled in the Virgin Islands who seeks to export the vehicle shall first surrender the certificates of title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. For purposes of this section, "export" means the shipping or transporting of a vehicle out of the Virgin Islands. (b) Upon surrender of the title of a vehicle to be exported, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall inspect the certificate of title to ascertain whether there are any liens of record outstanding and whether the person exporting the vehicle is the lawful owner. If the certificate of title is found to be in proper order and no unsatisfied lien appears thereon, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall return the title and issue an export declaration (vehicle clearance form) to the owner which shall constitute prima facie evidence of ownership of the vehicle. An export declaration (vehicle clearance form) shall include all of the following: 1. The same information that is required on a certificate of title to identify the vehicle and the owner; 2. The export destination of the vehicle; and 3. Such other information as required by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if the owner certifies by filing a declaration with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the Virgin Islands and that the owner intends to return the vehicle to the Virgin Islands, the certificate of title for the vehicle need not be surrendered; provided, however, any outstanding lienholder shall be notified of the pending export of the vehicle and shall approve of the same in writing. The declaration shall be recorded by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and made a part of the title record until the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is notified by the owner that the vehicle has been returned to the Territory. The declaration shall be made on a form supplied by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and shall contain a statement of the period of time for which it is anticipated that the vehicle will be outside the Virgin Islands, in addition to the information specified in subsection (b) of this section for a receipt of title cancellation. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle titled in the Virgin Islands who seeks to transport such vehicle must present a valid registration to the shipping carrier and notify the Bureau that the vehicle is being shipped to another island as a condition precedent to transport. This shall be the only requirement for the transport of a motor vehicle. For purposes of this section the term "transport" or "transported" means the shipping or shipment of any motor vehicle between the different islands within the Virgin Islands. (b) Upon presentation of a valid registration of the motor vehicle to be transported, the shipping carrier shall maintain a listing of motor vehicles transported and report a listing of transported vehicles on a quarterly basis to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) Failure of the shipping company to comply shall result in a $1000 fine, or revocation of license to operate in the Virgin Islands, upon report to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (d) The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall promulgate regulations and the process by which the Bureau shall monitor and enforce the provisions of this section. History: Added Sept. 16, 2009, No. 7097, § 1, Sess. L. 2009, p. 168; amended Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 2(a)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2022, p. 99.

(a) The owner or owners of a vehicle may create an interest in the vehicle that is transferrable on the death of the owner or owners by obtaining a certificate of title conveying the interest in the vehicle to one (1) or more persons as transfer on death beneficiaries. Where there is more than one transferee on death beneficiary, the type of joint ownership created is a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship. (b) Subject to subsection (e), an interest in a vehicle transferred under this section vests upon the death of the owner or owners. (c) A certificate of title that is worded in substance as "A.B. transfers on death to C.D." or "A.B. and C.D. transfer on death to E.F.", and that is signed by the owner or owners, shall constitute a valid conveyance, on the death of the owner(s), to the transferee(s). (d) A certificate of title obtained under this section is not required to be supported by consideration or delivered to the named transferee(s) in order to be effective. (e) Upon the death of the owner(s) conveying an interest in a vehicle in a certificate of title obtained under this section, the interest in the vehicle is transferred to each beneficiary under the following conditions: (1) The beneficiary is named in the certificate and survives the transferor; (2) The beneficiary is one of the named beneficiaries, survives the transferor, and is entitled to an interest in the vehicle following the death of another beneficiary who is named in the certificate and who did not survive the transferor. (f) A certificate of title designating a transfer on death beneficiary is not testamentary. A certificate of title designating a transfer on death beneficiary takes precedent over any will or other testamentary instrument. (g) In order to obtain a Transfer on Death Title, the transfer on death beneficiary who is applying for a certificate of title for a vehicle shall submit an application in the form and manner prescribed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicle which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) The former title number, if applicable; (2) The acquisition date by the beneficiary; and (3) The name of the beneficiary and valid identification and social security number or other federal identification number of the beneficiary. (h) If there is a lien on the vehicle to be transferred, a transfer on death may not be executed until the vehicle is released from the lien. (i) For purposes of this section, "vehicle" has the meaning as set forth in 20 V.I.C. § 101, but also includes any motorized vessel or craft designed specifically for movement on the surface of water. History: Added Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8250, § 1(b), Sess. L. 2019, p. 149-150; amended Dec. 31, 2020, No. 8413, § 5(a)-(c), Sess. L. 2020, p. 285.

Islands (a) The owner or purchaser of a motor vehicle who brings a motor vehicle into the Virgin Islands shall pay the applicable fees to obtain a Special Permit from the Bureau of Motor that the vehicle is insured, the highway user tax was paid, that the owner of the vehicle can be verified, and any document required by Director of the Bureau for permit issuance has been presented. Two copies of the Special Permit must be issued, one for display on the rear of the vehicle, and one for the front. Shipping companies, freight forwarder companies, and the Virgin Islands Port Authority shall visually confirm a valid Special Permit before the vehicle may exit the port of entry. (b) Upon receipt of the Special Permit issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the shipping company or freight forwarder shall release the vehicle to the owner. The carrier shall maintain a list of motor vehicles transported and report this list daily to the Bureau. The Director of the Bureau shall determine the medium by which the report must be submitted along with the form and format for reporting. (c) Failure of the vehicle owner, shipping company or freight forwarder company to comply with this section shall result in a $1000 fine. (d) The Director of the Bureau shall promulgate regulations and the process by which the Bureau shall monitor and enforce the provisions of this section. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 2(b), Sess. L. 2022, p. 99.

(a) A person who violates any of the requirements of sections 220 through 225 of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor on a first offense and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one (1) year and a penalty not exceeding $1,000, and is guilty of a felony on any second or subsequent offense and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years and a penalty not exceeding $5,000. (b) Notwithstanding the penalties prescribed in subsection "(a)" of this section, any person who violates section 225a of this chapter, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year and penalty not to exceed $1,000. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Sept. 16, 2009, No. 7097, § 2, Sess. L. 2009, pp. 168, 169.

(a) This subchapter does not apply to or affect: 1. A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle; 2. A lien given by statute to the Government of the United States, the Government of the Virgin Islands or any agency, department or independent instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands; 3. A security interest in a vehicle created as debtor by a manufacturer or dealer while he holds the vehicle for sale. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of law, a buyer in the ordinary course of business from a manufacturer or dealer takes free of any security interest created as debtor by a manufacturer or dealer while he holds the vehicle for sale. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

(a) Unless excepted by section 251 of this chapter, a security interest in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required is subordinate to the rights of persons who become subsequent transferees or lienholders of the vehicle before the security interest is perfected as provided in this chapter. (b) A security interest is perfected by the delivery to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the existing certificate of title, if any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of his security agreement and the required fee and a copy of the registration card. It is perfected as of the time of its attachment if the delivery is completed within 10 days thereafter, otherwise, as of the time of the delivery. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.; -Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

If an owner creates a security interest in a vehicle: (a) The owner shall immediately execute the application, in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, to name the first priority lienholder on the certificate, showing the name and address of such lienholder, the date of his security agreement, and cause the certificate, application and the required fee and a copy of the registration card to be delivered to the lienholder. (b) The first priority lienholder shall immediately cause the certificate, application, the required fee and a copy of the registration card to be mailed or delivered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) Upon request of the owner or subsequent lienholder, a first priority lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either mail or deliver the certificate to the subsequent lienholder for delivery to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or, upon receipt from the subsequent lienholder of the owner's application and the required fee and copy of the registration card, mail or deliver them to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with the certificate. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the first priority lienholder under his security agreement. (d) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, application, the required fee and a copy of the registration card, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall either endorse on the certificate or issue a new certificate containing the name and address of the new first priority lienholder, and mail the certificate to such lienholder named on it. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) A first priority lienholder may assign, absolutely or otherwise, his security interest in the vehicle to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the first priority lienholder as the holder of the security interest and such lienholder remains liable for any obligations as lienholder until the assignee is named as the new first priority lienholder on the certificate. (b) The assignee may, but need not to perfect the assignment, have the certificate of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as first priority lienholder, upon delivering to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the certificate and an assignment by the prior lienholder named in the certificate in the form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes. Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he shall, within 10 days after demand and, in any event, within 30 days, execute a release of his security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the owner and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall release the lienholder's rights on the certificates or issue a new certificate. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

A first priority lienholder named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of the owner, disclose any pertinent information as to his security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

(a) The method provided in this chapter of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to this chapter are hereby exempted from the provisions of law which otherwise require or relate to the filing of instruments creating or evidencing security interests including the necessity for acknowledgments and witnesses. (b) Unless perfected as provided in this chapter or excepted by section 251 of this chapter, a security interest in a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required is not valid against any person as to whose rights an unperfected security interest is subordinate pursuant to the provisions of Title 11A, Virgin Islands Code. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title, upon notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with section 260 of this chapter, when authorized by any other provision of law or if it finds: 1. The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued, or 2. The vehicle has been a salvage or junk vehicle or has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed. (b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, an itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it. (c) When the Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (d) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests, and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the provisions of this chapter. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles under this chapter is also entitled to a review thereof by the Superior Court provided such action is taken within 30 days of final determination by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

A "previously registered vehicle" means a vehicle registered in this Territory pursuant to chapter 33 of this title when this chapter takes effect or a vehicle whose last registration before this chapter takes effect was in this Territory. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

Subchapters I and II of this chapter do not apply to a previously registered vehicle until: (a) It is purchased from a dealer in this Territory after this chapter takes effect; (b) It is registered pursuant to chapter 33 of this title after this chapter takes effect; or (c) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues a certificate of title for the vehicle. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

If the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is not satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests, created before this chapter takes effect, in a previously registered vehicle, it may, in addition to its options under section 211 of this chapter, issue a distinctive certificate of title of the vehicle containing the legend "This vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien" and any other information the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

A security interest in a previously registered vehicle for which no certificate of title or application for a certificate is required is perfected by the delivery to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of a notice of security interest in the form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes; provided, however, no fee shall be required other than that accepted at the time of the original filing. It is perfected as to the time of its creation if the delivery is completed within 10 days thereafter, otherwise, as of the time of delivery. A notice of a security interest created or reserved before this chapter takes effect need be executed by the lienholder only. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

If a security interest in a previously registered vehicle is perfected under any other applicable law of the Virgin Islands at the time this chapter takes effect, the security interest continues perfected: (a) Until its perfection lapses under the law under which it was perfected or would lapse in the absence of a further filing; or (b) Until the earlier lapse of two years and nine months from the date this chapter takes effect; and (c) Thereafter if previously perfected under section 279 of this chapter. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101.

Record (a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall file such notice of security interest received by it and maintain a record of all notices of security interests filed by it: (1) Alphabetically, under the name of the owner; (2) Under the identifying number of the vehicle; and (3) In the discretion of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, in any other method it determines. (b) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles need not maintain, in the record provided for in subsection (a) of this section, any reference to a security interest in a previously registered vehicle after the Bureau of Motor Vehicles files a notice of release of the security interest or issues a certificate of title of the vehicle containing the name of the lienholder. (c) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, before issuing or reissuing a certificate of title, shall check the name of the owner and the identifying number of the vehicle against the record provided for in subsection (a) of this section. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, a person who with fraudulent intent: (1) Alters, forges or counterfeits a certificate of title; (2) Alters or an assignment of a certificate of title or an assignment or release of a security interest, on a certificate of title or a form the Bureau of Motor Vehicles prescribes; (3) Has possession of or uses a certificate of title knowing it to have been altered, forged or counterfeited; or (4) Uses a false or fictitious name or address, or makes a material false statement, or fails to disclose a security interest, or conceals any other material fact, in an application for a certificate of title; is guilty of a felony and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than five (5) years and a fine of not more than $5,000. (b) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, a person who: (1) With fraudulent intent permits another not entitled thereto, to use or have possession of a certificate of title; (2) Willfully fails to mail or deliver a certificate of title or application therefor to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within ten (10) days after the time required by this chapter; (3) Willfully fails to deliver to his transferee a certificate of title within ten (10) days after the time required by this chapter; or (4) Willfully violates any other provision of this chapter except as provided in subsection (a) of this section; is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months and a penalty not exceeding $500. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

(a) A person who willfully removes or falsifies and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than six (6) months and a penalty of not more than $500. (b) A person who, willfully and with intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity of a vehicle or vehicle part, removes or falsifies an identification number of the vehicle or vehicle part, is guilty of a felony an upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than five (5) years and a fine of not more than $5,000. (c) A person who buys, receives, possessions, sells or disposes of a vehicle, knowing that a vehicle identification number has been removed or falsified, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than one (1) year and a fine of not more than $1,000. (d) A person who buys, receives, possesses, sells or disposes of a vehicle, knowing that a vehicle identification number has been removed or falsified and with intent to conceal or misrepresent the identity of the vehicle or vehicle part, is guilty of a felony and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than one (1) year and a fine of not more than $1,000. (e) As used in this section: (1) "Remove" includes deface, cover and destroy; and (2) "Falsify" includes alter and forge. (f) A vehicle identification number may be placed on a vehicle or vehicle part by its manufacturer in the regular course of business or placed or restored on vehicle or vehicle part by authority of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles without violating this section; a vehicle identification number so placed or restored is not falsified. History: Added July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 101; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

Except as provided in this chapter, no motor vehicle, bicycle, or trailer shall be operated upon the public highways of the Virgin Islands unless- (1) it has been registered by the Director of Motor Vehicles; (2) a registration license has been issued therefor; and (3) it is equipped with license plates as required by this chapter. History: Amended Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, § 2, Sess. L. 1971, p. 18; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) Application for the registration of a motor vehicle, bicycle or trailer shall be made to the Director of Motor Vehicles on a form prescribed and furnished by the Director. (b) The following information shall appear upon the records of registration kept by the Director and upon the registration license issued to the applicant- (1) a distinctive license number or personalized licensed number assigned by the Director; provided, however, that the distinctive license number or personalized license number assigned by the Director shall be the same as the distinctive license number or personalized license number previously assigned by him on a previous registration for the person making the application if such person so requests on the application and submits to the Director with such application the license plates bearing such distinctive license number or personalized license number; (2) a brief description of the vehicle, including make, engine number, serial number, type of vehicle, weight, and whether to be used for hire or for private use; (3) the name, age, and address of the owner; and (4) in the case of commercial vehicles as defined in section 392 of this title, the Director shall require that any registrant of a commercial motor vehicle declare knowledge of the CommercialCommercial Motor Vehicle Inspection and Commercial Driver's License Actdified in section 390 et seq. of this title, and the federal Hazardous Hazardous Materials Actations as codified in 49 U.S.C., §§ 355.1 et seq. and 49 C.F.R. §§ 107 to 180 respectively, as applicable to highway transportation. (5) such other information as the Director deems necessary. (c) After July 1, 1971, every application for registration submitted to the Director shall be accompanied either by a copy of the prior registration license, in the case of all motor vehicles previously registered, or by the appropriate copy of the certificate provided by the Bureau of Internal Revenue under the provisions of subsection (b), section 73, Title 33 of this Code, in the case of all motor vehicles not previously registered in the Virgin Islands. After July 1, 1971, no motor vehicle may be registered for operation unless the application is accompanied by either the registration license or the certificate referred to above, except (1) that a motor vehicle which entered the Virgin Islands prior to July 1, 1971, but was not registered prior to said date, shall be registered without such accompanying license or certificate, or (2) with the prior approval of the Director in exceptional cases. (d) Upon receipt of the application for registration, the accompanying license or certificate as required by the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, and the fees prescribed by law, and upon determination that the motor vehicle is in satisfactory condition to insure safety on the public highways as prescribed by chapter 41 of this title, the Director shall issue a registration license and new license plate or license plate submitted to the Director pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, as the case may be, to the applicant. (e) A registration license and one new license plate or one license plate submitted to the Director pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, as the case may be, shall be included in the registration fee; provided, however, that no registration fee shall be charged in cases where a license plate has been submitted to the Director pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and such license plate is still effective under section 334 of this chapter. In case of loss or destruction, duplicate registration licenses shall be issued under regulations prescribed by the Director of Motor Vehicles at the fees fixed by law. In the case of loss or destruction of a license plate the Director shall issue a new license plate, at the fee which would have been applicable. (f) No motor vehicle registered under the provisions of this chapter shall be repainted a color other that which appears on the registration certificate or substantially altered in shape or appearance without first obtaining a permit from the Director of Motor Vehicles. (g) No registration license shall be issued for any motor vehicle that is not in compliance with the requirements of chapter 85 of the Clean Air Act (77 Stat. 392; PL 88-206), or any amendments or supplements thereto. In addition, the vehicle may not be registered unless the Director of Motor Vehicles or his designee is satisfied that the vehicle meets the motor vehicle safety requirements specified in 15 U.S.C.A. § 1391 et seq. However, vehicles registered in the Territory prior to the enactment of this subsection shall be exempt from the requirement of this subsection. (h) In lieu of assigning a distinctive license number under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Director may assign a personalized license number to the owner of any automobile for private use who requests such on the application submitted under the provisions of this section. Such personalized license number may consist of any combination of not more than six (6) letters and numbers; provided, however, that the Director, in his discretion, may refuse any combination of letters and numbers, including any such combinations which may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency and shall not assign to any person not holding the relevant office any letters or numbers denoting the owner to have a public office. The license plates of the official vehicles of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senate President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Presiding Judge of the Superior Court shall not bear numerical characters, but shall bear the official written designation of the titles of those offices; and there shall be affixed two identical license plates, one each on the front and rear of each of the designated vehicles. (i) The Director shall also provide handicapped registration as required and established by rules and regulations of the Department. History: Amended Jan. 19, 1971, No. 2923, § 4, Sess. L. 1970, p. 407; Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, § 8, Sess. L. 1971, p. 19; Aug. 22, 1980, No. 4473, § 3(g), Sess. L. 1980, p. 148; Oct. 10, 1980, No. 4482, § 1, Sess. L. 1980, p. 162; Apr. 4, 1984, No. 4924, §§ 1-3, Sess. L. 1984, p. 94; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 11, 1986, No. 5162, § 1, Sess. L. 1986, p. 67; June 11, 1986, No. 5169, §§ 1(a), (b), 2(a), (b), Sess. L. 1986, p. 77, 78; Nov. 7, 1988, No. 5394, § 18, Sess. L. 1988, p. 373; June 8, 1990, No. 5568, § 6(a)1, Sess. L. 1990, p. 220; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 2, Sess. L. 2010, p. 203; amended July 30, 2016, No. 7888, § 9(c), Sess. L. 2016, p. 113.

At all times while a motor vehicle required to be registered under this chapter is being operated upon the public highways, the registration license issued therefor shall be in the possession of the operator or carried in the vehicle and subject to inspection by any peace officer or other person authorized by the Director of Motor Vehicles. However, an operator shall be allowed 24 hours to produce the registration license before a conviction can be obtained under this subsection, if such license was legally issued at a time prior to his arrest. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) License plates shall be of the type prescribed by the Director of Motor Vehicles and shall bear the distinctive license numbers or personalized license assigned under the provisions of section 332 of this title. License plates shall be effective for a license year expiring on the last business day of the month issued. When two plates are issued, two plates shall be displayed. One plate must be affixed to the front of the body of the vehicle and the other to the rear, and both plates must be clearly visible from the front and rear of the vehicle. Personalized license plates shall be effective for a license year expiring on the last business day of the month of registration. A license plate may be made effective for such additional license years as is deemed appropriate by the Director, expiring each year on the last business day of the month represented by the last digit of the number of the license plate, by the proper placement of a registration sticker (or tags) prescribed and issued by the Director on each license plate or on the windshield of the licensed vehicle; provided, however, notwithstanding the requirements of this section to the contrary, that buses, motorcycles and bicycles shall be inspected in August of each calendar year, and all vehicles belonging to the Virgin Islands Government shall be inspected in December of each calendar year. Commencing with calendar year 1978, license plates or revalidation stickers shall be issued throughout the calendar year in conjunction with the vehicular inspection required by section 461 of this title, according to the schedule established by this subsection. The Director shall impose a penalty for late registration of vehicles equal to one-twelfth of the annual registration fee for each month that the registration is late. The Director shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this section; Provided, however, That no penalty shall be imposed for late registration of a vehicle if the owner of said vehicle submits a sworn affidavit to the Director stating that the vehicle was not being operated during the period for which no registration was obtained. (b) For motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, trailers, backhoes, forklifts, rollers, and cranes, one plate shall be issued which shall be carried in a position clearly visible from the rear. Each vehicle shall be required to carry a license plate and there shall be a tail lamp or a separate lamp so constructed and placed on the vehicle as to illuminate with a white light the rear plate and render it clearly legible for a distance of 50 feet to the rear. (c) License plates and stickers (or tags) shall be securely attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible and to prevent swinging. They shall be maintained in a legible condition at all times. If they become disfigured or marred to such an extent that they are not clearly legible and visible, they shall be replaced pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 332 of this title. Except for dealers plates under section 336 which may be affixed to the rear window of a motor vehicle, it is unlawful to place a license plate anywhere on the dashboard or the rear window of the motor vehicle. (d) Every automobile dealer in the Territory shall ensure that all vehicles sold by the dealer are equipped to display two license plates as described in subsection (a). (e) A license plate shall not be transferred from one vehicle to another except in accordance with the provisions of section 332 of this chapter; provided, however, that a license plate issued pursuant to sections 336 and 340 of this title may be transferred from one vehicle to another of the same licensee. Each such licensee shall keep a written record of the vehicles upon which a plate issued pursuant to such sections 336 and 340 are used and the time during which each such plate is used on a particular vehicle, which record shall be open to inspection by the Director of Motor Vehicles or his designee. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 23 of Title 31, the Director of Motor Vehicles may by public sale dispose of surplus license plates which remain unsold at the end of the calendar year for which they were issued to be used as souvenirs of the Virgin Islands. The fee for such plates shall be established by the Director with the approval of the Governor. (g) No license plate, or any portion of license plate may be covered with any tinted material, nor may any other material be placed on or around a license plate which would conceal or obscure any information contained on the license plate, including the registration expiration sticker. License plate frames that do not conceal or obscure any information contained on the license plate are not prohibited by this section. (h) (1) It is unlawful to sell any license plate cover or frame that would violate subsection (f) if placed on a Virgin Islands license plate, unless the seller posts a sign in close proximity to the product which states clearly and conspicuously that it is illegal to place such a plate cover or frame on a Virgin Islands license plate. (2) Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be fined not less than $50 and not more than $100 and shall pay restitution to the purchaser of the license plate cover or frame in the amount of 10 times the purchase price. History: Amended June 7, 1960, No. 583, § 1, Sess. L. 1960, p. 82; Apr. 1, 1964, No. 1155, Sess. L. 1964, p. 145; Apr. 17, 1967, No. 1908, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 93; Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, §§ 3, 4, Sess. L. 1971, pp. 18, 19; May 28, 1971, No. 3059, Sess. L. 1971, p. 219; Oct. 11, 1977, No. 4043, § 1(1), Sess. L. 1977, p. 238; Oct. 28, 1977, No. 4055, Sess. L. 1977, p. 254; Apr. 3, 1978, No. 4117, Sess. L. 1978, p. 54; May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 7, Sess. L. 1978, p. 81; Aug. 10, 1978, No. 4185, § 3, Sess. L. 1978, p. 205; Sept. 26, 1980, No. 4475, § 1, Sess. L. 1980, p. 151; June 10, 1981, No. 4562, § 1, Sess. L. 1981, p. 57; Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4644, Sess. L. 1981, p. 246; Apr. 4, 1984, No. 4924, § 4, Sess. L. 1984, p. 95; June 15, 1985, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; July 24, 1984, No. 4978, § 5(a), (b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 217; June 11, 1986, No. 5169, §§ 1(c), 2(c), Sess. L. 1986, p. 77, 78; Dec. 29, 1986, No. 5234, § 1, Sess. L. 1986, p. 415; Jan. 13, 1994, No. 5948, § 100(A), Sess. L. 1993, p. 334; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, §§ 3, 6(1)-(2), Sess. L. 2005, pp. 247, 248; June 24, 2009, No. 7073, § 1, Sess. L. 2009, p. 54; amended Apr. 22, 2016, No. 7843, §§ 1, 2, (3)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2016, p. 9, 10.

Veteran license plates. The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall make available license plates designed specifically to pay tribute to the sacrifices and deeds of the Virgin Islands veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. The following criteria apply to anyone requesting a veteran license plate: (a) Application. Veterans organizations or any person who is a veteran, as defined in 20 V.I.C., chapter 31 and is a registered owner or lessee of a passenger vehicle registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, may apply for veteran's license plates. (b) Veterans with disability. The veteran license plate must display the International Symbol of Accessibility on the right hand corner of the license plate and must be the same size as the letters and numbers on the plate. (c) Fee. No fee may be assessed for license plates issued under this section. (d) Issuance. A veteran license plate may be issued only to the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle on which the plate is to be displayed. History: Added May 17, 2006, No. 6834, § 2, Sess. L. 2006, p. 46.

(a) Except as provided in section 339 of this chapter, if the ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred, the transferor of such motor vehicle shall, within twenty-four hours of such transfer, notify the Director of Motor Vehicles of such transfer on forms provided by the Director for such purpose. Upon receipt of such notice, the Director shall note such transfer of ownership on the registration license of the transferor, shall cancel such registration license by marking the word "cancelled" across the face thereof, and shall void the license plates issued with such registration license subject to the provisions of section 332 of this chapter; provided, however, that such cancellation and voiding shall not be effective until forty-eight (48) hours after the Director has received such notice of transfer. The motor vehicle so transferred may be operated during such forty-eight (48) hour time period; provided, however, that such motor vehicle may not be operated after the expiration of such forty-eight (48) hour time period unless the transferee of the ownership of such motor vehicle has applied for and received a registration license and license plates for such motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of section 332 of this chapter. The provisions of this section shall not apply to sales of motor vehicles, not previously registered, by dealers who have secured dealers' licenses. (b) Whenever any person after applying for and/or receiving a registration of ownership of a vehicle or a driver's license shall move from the address named in such application, license or vehicle registration issued to him or when the name of a licensee is changed by marriage or otherwise such person shall within thirty (30) days thereafter notify the Director of Motor Vehicles in writing of his old and new address or of such former and new names and of the number of any license then held by him. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection may be fined not more than $75. History: Amended May 8, 1959, No. 399, § 1, Sess. L. 1959, p. 9; Feb. 17, 1972, No. 3164, Sess. L. 1972, p. 10; Sept. 30, 1981, No. 4618, Sess. L. 1981, p. 128; Apr. 4, 1984, No. 4924, § 5, Sess. L. 1984, p. 95; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 3, Sess. L. 1994, p. 123; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) Any manufacturer's agent or dealer in motor vehicles may apply for a dealer's license. The application shall be sworn to or affirmed and shall contain such information as the Director of Motor Vehicles may require. On presentation of an application properly executed and payment of the fee provided by law, the applicant shall be furnished a dealer's license and shall be entitled to purchase such number of dealer's license plates as he may desire. The plates furnished under this subsection shall bear the letter X and a number which shall be the same on all the plates furnished one dealer, and in addition each plate shall bear a different number. Dealers' license plates shall be used only in the operation of new and used motor vehicles for sale, and shall not be used on vehicles rented or sold, on vehicles loaned for more than five consecutive days or on vehicles used in the general business of the dealer. The Director may revoke a dealer's license if he finds that such license plates are being used in violation of this subsection. (b) Temporary license plates may be issued to licensed dealers in motor vehicles in such number as may be requested, upon application accompanied by a proper fee, for use by purchasers of motor vehicles not to exceed 30 working days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after date of purchase and pending procurement of regular license plates. Temporary license plates shall be made of heavy cardboard or similar material. The license plates shall be preprinted with a sequential number, no smaller than the numbers on regular license plates, prefixed with XX to designate temporary plates. Preprinted space will also be provided and designated on the plate and the dealer shall insert the following information: Date of issue of plate, date of expiration of plate (which shall be 30 working days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after the date of issue), name of purchaser, serial number and description of vehicle and any such other information as the Director of Motor Vehicles may require. The dealer issuing such temporary license plates in lieu of regular license plates shall immediately notify the Director of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of Police of such temporary [license] plates issued on quadruple forms to be provided to the dealer by the Director of Motor Vehicles. The dealer shall record the same information on the form which he had recorded on the license plate and, in addition, he shall record the license plate number and such other information on the forms as the Director of Motor Vehicles may require. Within 24 hours, the original copy of the form shall be forwarded to the Director of Motor Vehicles and a copy to the Commissioner of Police, the third copy shall be given to the purchaser and the fourth shall be retained by the dealer issuing the plates. A fee in the amount prescribed in chapter 39 of this title shall be paid for each temporary license plate. The dealer shall be required to pay this fee when he requests that the temporary license plates be issued to him by the Director. The dealer is authorized to recover this fee from the customer when the temporary license plate is issued. Only one temporary license plate shall be required per vehicle and such license plate must be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Purchasers using temporary license plates shall deliver such plates to the licensing office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles upon issue of regular license plates. A dealer, upon demand, shall immediately surrender any such temporary license plates in his possession to the Director of Motor Vehicles if, after investigation, the Director finds that the dealer has violated any of the provisions of this subsection and he shall therefore forfeit his right to dealers temporary license plates for a period of one year. Such temporary plates shall not be used for purposes for which dealer's plates are used pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. History: Amended May 8, 1959, No. 399, § 2, Sess. L. 1959, p. 9; Feb. 13, 1970, No. 2621, Sess. L. 1970, p. 10; Sept. 4, 1976, No. 3873, § 1, Sess. L. 1976, p. 182; Nov. 7, 1983, No. 4877, § 312(b), Sess. L. 1983, p. 246; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 11, 1986, No. 5169, § 2(d), Sess. L. 1986, p. 79; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 23, 2006, No. 6898, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 2006, pp. 297, 298; Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(b), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

History: Repealed. Mar. 9, 1971. No. 2952, § 5, Sess. L. 1971, p. 19.

History: Repealed. Aug. 20, 2010, No. 7183, § 16, Sess. L. 2010, p. 118.

(a) On and after October 1, 1978, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall require that each automobile for hire presented to him for inspection and registration be accompanied by a separate taxicab medallion registered to the automobile owner and obtained under subchapter II, chapter 37 of this title. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after October 1, 1978, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall inspect and register automobiles for hire and collect the fees therefor, except that the Director shall not issue license plates for automobiles for hire. In cooperation with the Taxicab Commission, the Director shall device, by rules and regulations, a means for affixing on the registration form at the time of issuance of the license plates, the number of the license plates issued by the Taxicab Commission to an owner of an automobile for hire. (b) On or before October 1, 1978, and in each subsequent year, the Director shall provide the Taxicab Commission with such license plates as it may require to be issued for automobiles for hire. Each plate shall be marked according to existing law and shall designate the island for which it is issued and shall be valid only on the island designated. (c) On and after October 1, 1978, the Taxicab Commission shall issue to the owner of a valid taxicab medallion who presents proof that an automobile for hire owned by him has been inspected and registered with the Director of Motor Vehicles, a set of license plates for each such automobile; provided, however, that only one set of plates may be issued for each separate medallion. The Taxicab Commission shall forthwith notify the Director of Motor Vehicles the number on the plates issued each automobile and shall record such number in the register of medallions required by subchapter II of chapter 37 of this title. Only persons owning taxicab medallions on and after October 1, 1978, may obtain license plates for automobiles for hire. (d) Any owner of a validly registered and licensed automobile for hire who chooses to no longer use such vehicle as an automobile for hire shall immediately notify the Taxicab Commission of his intention and return to the Taxicab Commission the license plates from such automobile. The Taxicab Commission shall reserve such plates for that owner's replacement vehicle provided that owner is still the owner of the taxicab medallion for which the plates were originally issued. The Taxicab Commission shall notify the Director of any such disuse of plates and any subsequent reissue. (e) Any person who operates a motor vehicle as an automobile for hire without the appropriate registration license and license plates shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $50 for each offense. History: Added June 1, 1967, No. 1990, § 3, Sess. L. 1967, p. 327, 328; amended July 18, 1968, No. 2309, § 1, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 269; June 25, 1970, No. 2756, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 184, Sept. 4, 1970, No. 2814, Sess. L. 1970, p. 303; May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 2(a), Sess. L. 1978, p. 75; Aug. 10, 1978, No. 4185, § 2(a), Sess. L. 1978, p. 205; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) Any container cargo line or its agent shall apply for license plates for transit, commercial trailers. The application shall be sworn to or affirmed and it shall contain such information as the Director of Motor Vehicles may require. The cost of each such license plate (one per trailer) shall be computed in accordance with subsection (a) of section 433 of chapter 39 of this title. The Director shall designate a special prefix or number series for transit, commercial trailers license plates. Transit, commercial trailer license plates shall be used only for such trailers and shall not be used on vehicles intended for extended use in the Virgin Islands. The Director may revoke any license plate issued pursuant to this section if he finds that such plate is being used in violation of this section. (b) Any container cargo line or its agent, who brings a container into the Territory, shall be assessed a fee of $50 per container on containers that measure up to 39 feet in length and $100 per container that measures 40 feet or more. (c) The fees assessed in subsection (b) shall be collected by the Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and deposited into the General Fund in the Treasury of the Virgin Islands. History: Added Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, § 9, Sess. L. 1971, p. 20; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; July 14, 2003, No. 6583, § 3, Sess. L. 2003, p. 24; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 3, Sess. L. 2010, p. 204.

The registration and licensing of motor vehicles, as well as the acknowledgment and registration of changes in ownership of motor vehicles, under this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 43, section 497, subsection (g) of this title. History: Added Jan. 11, 1974, No. 3515, § 2, Sess. L. 1973, p. 309.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the regulation and control of the size and weights of vehicles on the public streets and highways of the Virgin Islands. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 414.

The terms, used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning, are defined as follows: (a) Vehicles-every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public road or highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. (b) Commissioner-the term "Commissioner" shall include the Commissioner of Public Works or any employee of the Department of Public Works designated in writing by the Commissioner of Public Works. (c) Owner-the term "owner" means any person, firm, corporation or association holding title to a motor vehicle, or having the legal right to register the same, including purchases under conditional bills of sale, or renting a motor vehicle or having the exclusive use thereof under a contract or lease or otherwise. (d) Solid tires-the term "solid tires" means tires of rubber, or other elastic material, which do not depend upon confined air for the support of the load. (e) Person-the term "person" includes any individual, corporation, association, partnership, firm or other aggregation of individuals. (f) Pneumatic tires-the term "pneumatic tires" means tires inflated or capable of inflation with air. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 414.

(a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles or combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer nor any other object shall be operated upon any public highway or bridge without the permit described in section 354, the gross weight of which including its load exceeds the following limits: twenty thousand pounds if a four- wheeled vehicle equipped with solid tires, thirty-two thousand pounds if a four-wheeled vehicle equipped with pneumatic tires, fifty-eight thousand eight hundred pounds if a vehicle with three axles or any combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with a total of three axles and equipped with pneumatic tires, seventy-five thousand pounds if a combination of vehicle or trailer or semi-trailer with a total of four axles and equipped with pneumatic tires, eighty-one thousand pounds if a combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with a total of five or more axles and equipped with pneumatic tires, provided the weight on any axle of such vehicle with three axles or the weight of any axle or any combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with three or more axles shall not exceed twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds, or, in the case of axles spaced less than six feet apart, eighteen thousand pounds. For any such vehicle or combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight of over forty thousand pounds and not over forty-five thousand pounds, there shall be a minimum number of ten tires and tires on all wheels shall have a minimum cross section of at least ten inches and minimum rim diameter of at least twenty inches such tire size being commonly described as "10-00-20". On any such vehicle or combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight in excess of forty-five thousand pounds, there shall be a minimum number of ten tires with a minimum tire size as follows: steering axle tires shall have a minimum cross section of at least ten inches and a minimum diameter of at least twenty inches, such tire size being commonly described as "10-00-20", on all other wheels, tires shall have minimum cross section of at least eleven inches and minimum rim diameter of at least twenty inches, such tire size being commonly described as "11-00-20". On any such vehicle or combination of vehicle and trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight in excess of forty-five thousand pounds where there is a minimum number of fourteen tires, the tires on all wheels shall have a minimum cross section of at least ten inches and a minimum rim diameter of at least twenty inches, such tire size being common described as "10-00-20". No vehicle or other object, the weight of which resting on the surface of such highway or bridge exceeds eight hundred pounds per inch of width of metal tire, roller, wheel or other supporting device, except a motor vehicle, shall be operated upon any highway or bridge without the permit described in section 354. The owner of any vehicle or other object operated or moved over any highways or bridges in violation of any provisions of this chapter shall be liable for all damages which such highway or bridge may sustain as a result of such violation and such damages may be recovered in an action at law. No vehicle equipped with rubber tires, except a motor vehicle, shall carry more than the number of pounds per wheel as follows: if such tires are three inches in width, five hundred pounds; if such tires are three and one-half inches in width, seven hundred fifty pounds; if such tires are four inches in width, one thousand pounds; if such tires are four and one-half inches in width, thirteen hundred and fifty pounds; if such tires are five inches in width, seventeen hundred pounds; if such tires are five and one-half inches in width, two thousand pounds; if such tires are six inches in width, twenty-two hundred pounds; if such tires are seven inches in width, thirty-five hundred pounds; if such tires are eight inches in width, forty-five hundred pounds; if such tires are nine inches in width, fifty-five hundred pounds; if such tires are ten inches in width, sixty-five hundred pounds. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 415.

The Commissioner of Public Works is authorized, upon application in writing, to grant permits for transporting heavy vehicles or other objects not conforming to the provisions of section 353. Such permits shall be written, and may limit the highways or bridges which may be used, the time of such use and the maximum rate of speed at which such vehicles or objects may be operated, and may contain any other condition considered necessary by the authority granting the same, including fees. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 417; amended Feb. 28, 1972, No. 3173, Sess. L. 1972, p. 27.

It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of the Public Works Department to provide and maintain in St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John the necessary portable equipment for the weighing of the subject vehicles. The equipment to be manned by the Department of Public Works. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 417.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions of this chapter, or failing to comply with any order or regulation made pursuant to any provision, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned not more than thirty (30) days or both. History: Added Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 1, Sess. L. 1970, p. 417.

(a) Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways without an operator's license issued by the Director of Motor Vehicles. (b) The licensee shall have such license in his immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display the license upon demand of any peace officer or other person authorized by the Director of Motor Vehicles. It shall be a defense to any charge under this subsection if the person so charged produces in court an operator's license theretofore issued to such person and valid at the time of his arrest. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

to Distracted Driving In addition to the inclusion of laws and regulations applicable to the operation of a motor vehicle, the police department shall include educational information on the use of mobile telephones and other electronic devices while driving in the Virgin Islands Drivers Manual and shall include in the driver's license examination questions pertaining to distracted driving and mobile telephone use while driving. History: Added Dec. 2, 2005, No. 6795, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 441.

No person may operate a motorcycle unless the person holds a special motorcycle license or motorcycle learner's permit issued by the Director. History: Added July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 6(b), Sess. L. 2009, p. 123.

(a) No person may operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a bicycle equipped with a motor unless he wears a securely fitted protective helmet of a size proper for that person and of a type approved by the Director. The Director may adopt rules and regulations covering the types and specifications of the helmets and to establish and maintain a list of approved helmets that meet the specifications as established hereunder. Anyone who violates this section is subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $500. (b) (1) Any person regularly engaged in the business of renting or selling motorcycles or bicycles equipped with a motor shall provide a helmet to the renter or purchaser of the motorcycle or bicycle and a helmet for any passenger intending to ride the motorcycle or bicycle, unless the renter or purchaser presents a helmet for his and any present passenger's use and protection. No seller or renter of motorcycles or bicycles is required to provide a helmet for any passenger not present when the motorcycle or bicycle is rented. (2) Anyone who violates this subsection is subject to penalty not in excess of $5000. History: Added July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 6(c), Sess. L. 2009, pp. 123, 124; amended Sept. 11, 2012, No. 7394, § 1(a), Sess. L. 2012, p. 237-238.

(1) Any person regularly engaged in the business of selling or renting motorcycles or bicycles shall post a sign at the point where the sale or rental transaction is completed stating: "TERRITORY LAW REQUIRES A MOTOR BICYCLE OR BICYCLE RIDER TO WEAR A HELMET." The size of the sign must be at a minimum 15 inches in length and 8 inches in width. The seller or renter must also give all purchasers, renters and passengers present actual notice of the requirement to wear helmet. (2) A person who fails to post a sign required under this subsection is subject to a penalty not to exceed $50 a day for each day the business is open to the public and the sign is not posted. A person who fails to give a renter or purchaser of a motorcycle or bicycle or passenger present actual notice of the requirements of this section is subject to penalty not to exceed $5,000. History: Added July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 6(c), Sess. L. 2009, p. 124.

Civil penalties charged pursuant to sections 371c and 371d may be assessed by the Director administratively if the person charged with violating this section has been given the opportunity for a hearing on the record before the Director or his designee, and if the Director has made findings of facts and conclusions of law. History: Added July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 6(c), Sess. L. 2009, p. 124.

Under conditions established by the Director of Motor Vehicles, learners' permits may be issued which authorize the applicant to operate a motor vehicle in areas designated by the Director when accompanied by a licensed operator who shall be responsible for the proper operation of the vehicle. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is authorized to issue a Virgin Islands Identification Card to any natural person who is a legal resident of the Virgin Islands. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 110.

(a) The term "Virgin Islands Identification Card" shall mean and refer to a non driver identification card, a non real ID Identification Card, or Territorial Identification Card issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (b) The term "Director" shall mean the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 110.

(a) Any natural person who is a legal resident of the Virgin Islands and to whom a real ID or non-real ID card, driver's license, learner's permit, or real ID Identification Card has not been issued by the Director, or whose driver's license or learner's permit is expired, suspended, revoked or surrendered, may make application to the Director for the issuance of an identification card. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may not issue more than one identification card to an applicant at any one time. (b) The rules for the application for, replacement, amendment, and renewal of a Virgin Islands Identification Card shall be promulgated by the Director. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 110, 111.

(a) The Director shall upon submission of an appropriate application, upon payment of the prescribed fee, and upon being satisfied that the person described is the applicant and that such applicant meets the application requirements promulgated by the Director, issue to such applicant a nontransferable Virgin Islands Identification Card. (b) In addition to the application requirements promulgated by the Director, the Director shall require that an applicant for a Virgin Islands Identification Card or renewal thereof provide proof of the applicant's legal status in the United States, proof of residency in the Virgin Islands for at least 90 days, and proof of physical address in the Virgin Islands. (c) Every Virgin Islands Identification Card or renewal thereof issued to a person under the age of twenty- one years shall have prominently imprinted thereon the statement "UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE" in notably distinctive print or format. (d) The identification card shall contain the photograph of the holder pursuant to regulations established by the Director. Any photograph taken as part of the application procedure for an identification card shall not be a public record. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 111.

(a) Period of validity. A Virgin Islands Identification Card shall be valid from the date of issuance until the date of expiration determined by the Director. Such dates of issuance and expiration shall be noted on the identification card. However, the prior identification card shall expire on the date of issuance of a renewal of such prior identification card. (b) Fees. (1) The fee for a Virgin Islands Identification Card shall be determined by the Director. (2) There shall be no fee other than a fee prescribed in paragraph (1) of this section for an amended identification card. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 111, 112.

(a) Lost, mutilated or destroyed identification card. In the event of the loss, mutilation or destruction of any identification card, the holder thereof may file with the Director proof of the facts with respect to such loss, mutilation or destruction, together with the fee prescribed by law. If the Director is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to a duplicate thereof, he shall issue a duplicate of the lost, mutilated or destroyed identification card. (b) Amendment of Virgin Islands Identification Card. Any person holding a Virgin Islands Identification Card which contains any error due to erroneous information provided by the applicant, shall file an application with the Director for an amended identification card to have such error corrected for a fee set by law. If the Bureau made the error, no fee may be charged. The Director shall require such person to submit proof acceptable to him with respect to the facts, and upon approval of such proof and the surrender of the prior identification card, the Director shall issue an appropriate amended identification card. The Bureau shall allow all applicants to view the information printed on their identification card for errors prior to their being printed. (c) Change of address. It shall be the duty of every holder of an identification card to notify the Director in writing of any change of residence of such holder within ten days after such change occurs and to make a notation of such change of residence on the identification card in the place provided by the Director. History: Added Oct. 15, 2013, No. 7514, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 112.

(a) An application for an operator's license shall be made upon a form furnished by the Director of Motor Vehicles and shall contain such information as he prescribes. It shall be accompanied by the fees required by law. (b) If the Director finds that the applicant is qualified under this title, he shall issue an operators license. The license shall bear thereon the distinguishing number assigned to the applicant, the date of expiration, the name, age, and residence of the licensee, a brief description and photograph of the licensee for the purpose of identification and space for the signature of the licensee. The Director shall use such process or processes in the issuance of licenses, that prohibit as near as possible, the ability to alter or reproduce the license, or prohibit the ability to superimpose a photograph on such license without ready detection. (c) An operator's license is valid for five years and expires on the licensee's birthday in the fifth year after issuance. (d) In case of loss or destruction, duplicate operators' licenses may be issued by the Director upon payment of the fees prescribed by law. (e) At the request of the applicant for an operator's license under this section, a document of anatomical gift shall be imprinted on the applicant's operator's license. Such documentation of anatomical gift must comply with the requirements of title 19, chapter 20, section 403(b), of the Virgin Islands Code and shall be known as the MARK C. MARIN ORGAN DONOR IDENTIFICATION CARD. History: Amended June 7, 1960, No. 583, § 2, Sess. L. 1960, p. 83; July 18, 1968, No. 2307, § 2, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 267; Nov. 15, 1971, No. 3131, § 1, Sess. L. 1971, p. 370; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 30, 2000, No. 6354, § 2, Sess. L. 2000, p. 98; Nov. 27, 2001, No. 6477, § 4, Sess. L. 2001, p. 321; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

No person under 18 years of age shall be granted a license to operate a motor vehicle, and no owner or other person having the custody of a motor vehicle shall permit his motor vehicle to be operated by any person under 18 years of age, except that- (1) licenses may be granted to persons 16 or more years of age to operate motor scooters, mopeds or motor bicycles of a weight not to exceed 300 lbs. and powered by a motor not more than 50 cc. capacity; (2) learners' permits may be granted to persons 16 or more years of age; and (3) licenses may be granted to persons 16 or more years of age to operate motor vehicles provided that they have successfully completed an approved Driver Education Program. No license shall be issued under this section to any minor less than 18 years of age, unless sooner emancipated, except upon the written consent to the issuance of such license and the written assumption of financial responsibility for damages resulting from any torts committed by the minor arising from his operations of a motor vehicle, by the parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care, custody or control of such minor. History: Amended June 7, 1960, No. 583, § 4, Sess. L. 1960, p. 83; June 29, 1965, No. 1447, § 1, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 334; July 18, 1968, No. 2295, § 2, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 246; Sept. 26, 1980, No. 4475, § 2, Sess. L. 1980, p. 151; July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 6(a), Sess. L. 2009, p. 123.

(a) Before issuing an operator's license, the Director of Motor Vehicles may require such proof as he deems necessary that an applicant is physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle. Whenever the Director has reason to believe that the holder of an operator's license is physically or mentally unfit to operate a motor vehicle, he may require the licensee to submit proof of his fitness and he may revoke the license as provided in section 548 of this title if such proof is not furnished. (b) Before obtaining his first operator's license, an applicant shall undergo a thorough examination before a competent examiner appointed by the Director to test his practical knowledge of, and ability to drive, a motor vehicle, and his knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to the operation of motor vehicles; Provided, that if such applicant speaks Spanish he shall be granted, upon his request, the privilege of using an interpreter selected by the Director or to take the examination in his own language, whenever practicable. (c) No operator's license shall be issued unless the Director is satisfied that the applicant is competent to operate a motor vehicle. History: Amended June 3, 1960, No. 576, Sess. L. 1960, p. 77; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) If a person holds a bona fide unexpired operator's license issued by a State of the United States or a territory or possession thereof, such person shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle in the Virgin Islands as if he held a valid Virgin Islands operator's license, however, said person shall be required to obtain a Virgin Islands operator's license as provided in this chapter within ninety days after his date of arrival in the Virgin Islands. If the person holds a bona fide unexpired operator's license issued by a foreign country, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall issue a temporary permit to drive for a period not exceeding 30 days upon payment of the fee prescribed by law. (b) In his discretion, the Director may grant a Virgin Islands operator's license to an applicant who holds a bona fide unexpired operator's license issued by a State of the United States or a foreign country without the test of driving ability prescribed by subsection (b) of section 375 of this title. History: Amended Apr. 14, 1977, No. 3959, Sess. L. 1977, p. 36; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "school bus" shall mean any motor vehicle used to transport eight or more children to or from a public or private school, educational center, program for the handicapped, special education activity, school athletic event, or any other school activity, or, if the transportation is provided pursuant to an agreement with the Department of Education, then any motor vehicle used to transport one or more school children in accordance with such agreement. (b) No person shall operate a school bus after September 1, 1980, who has not just obtained a school bus operator's license pursuant to the provisions of this section. (c) The Director of Motor Vehicles, after consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall promulgate rules and regulations for the training, testing, and licensing of school bus operators, which shall include the following requirements: (1) successfully complete a school bus operator's instructional and training course as approved by the Director of Motor Vehicles in consultation with the Commissioner of Education; (2) annually complete an instructional and training refresher course of not less than 8 hours duration as a condition for continuing to hold a valid bus operator's license; (3) pass an annual physical examination by a licensed Virgin Islands physician, which shall include, but need not be limited to, visual acuity, hearing, blood pressure, stress, and reaction-time tests, and must be certified by such physician to be free of any physical condition which might impede such person's ability to safely operate a school bus; (4) not have a history of moving violations or have been convicted for any crime of violence; and (5) such other reasonable standards as may be established by the Director of Motor Vehicles after consultation with the Commissioner of Education to assure the competence of a school bus operator. (d) The Director of Motor Vehicles may revoke the school bus operator's license of any person who fails to continue to meet the standards required by this section. (e) The Director of Motor Vehicles may issue temporary school bus operator's licenses upon terms he deems appropriate, provided that no temporary license shall be valid for longer than six months from the date of issue, shall not be renewable, and no person may receive more than one such temporary license in any two year period. (f) The Department of Education shall bear the cost of the annual physical examination required by subsection (c)(3) of this section, as well as the cost of obtaining and renewing the class B school bus operator's license for each school bus operator employed by the Department of Education for the provision of school transportation. (g) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall immediately temporarily revoke the school bus operator's license of any person whenever the Director is presented with a preponderance of evidence, including testimony of a reliable eye witness, that such person, while operating a school bus or within eight hours immediately preceding the operation of any school bus, was or is believed to have been: (1) consuming alcoholic beverages; or (2) unlawfully using, possessing, or distributing a controlled substance as defined in Title 19, cTitle 199,chapter 29 code; or (3) physically behaving in such a manner, by weaving, staggering, slurred speech, or similar demonstrated uncoordinated actions, that a reasonable man would doubt the ability of such person to safely operate a school bus. It is the express purpose of this subsection to create a higher standard of conduct for school bus operators than the ordinary standard of conduct for a motor vehicle operator, and to empower the Director of Motor Vehicles to immediately act to temporarily revoke a school bus operator's license on evidence which may or may not be sufficient to convict such operator under applicable criminal laws of the Virgin Islands. (h) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall, as soon as practicable but not later than sixty days from the time of revocation, grant an informal hearing to any person whose school bus operator's license has been temporarily revoked under subsection (f) of this section. Prior to the hearing, an operator shall be advised of the evidence made known to the Director which caused the Director to temporarily revoke his license. Such evidence may be refuted by the operator, or his representative, at the hearing. After consideration of the evidence and rebuttal presented at the hearing, the Director of Motor Vehicles may reinstate the school bus operator's license or permanently revoke such license. No person formally charged under the criminal laws of the Virgin Islands with operating any vehicle while intoxicated or for any violation under section 604 or section 608 of Title 19, chapter 29 of this code (controlled substances) may operate a school bus during the pending of such charges or after conviction of such offense. Any action taken by the Director of Motor Vehicles under this subsection may be appealed to any court of appropriate jurisdiction. History: Added May 16, 1980, No. 4429, § 2, Sess. L. 1980, p. 49; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Mar. 27, 1992, No. 5783, § 4, Sess. L. 1992, p. 56; Oct. 8, 1992, No. 5816, § 402, Sess. L. 1992, p. 150; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) Any person who pleads guilty to, or is convicted of, possession of a controlled substance under Title 19, section 607, Virgin Islands Code, or who is adjudicated a delinquent and has been convicted of any drug offenses, shall, in addition to any and all other penalties provided by law, have his driver's license or driving privileges revoked for a period of two years; or, in the case of a non-driver, shall not be eligible for a driver's license for a period of two years following conviction. In the instance of incarceration, the two year period shall commence on the date of release. (b) Any person who pleads guilty to, or is convicted of, any violation of any other section of Title 19, Virgin Islands Code, or who is adjudicated a delinquent and has been convicted of any such offenses, shall, in addition to any and all other penalties provided by law, have his driver's license and driving privileges revoked for a period of five years; or, in the case of a non-driver, shall not be eligible for a driver's license for a period of five years following conviction. In the instance of incarceration, the five year period shall commence on the date of release. (c) For purposes of this section, the Judges of the Territorial and District Courts shall immediately take possession of any driver's license of a person convicted of, or who pleads guilty to, a drug offense pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, and forthwith forward same to the Commissioner of Police together with a copy of the judgment. The Commissioner of Police shall make the appropriate notations of the license revocation in his Department's records. (d) This section does not apply to persons adjudicated pursuant to 19 V.I.C. § 607a. History: Added Nov. 9, 1990, No. 5649, § 7, Sess. L. 1990, p. 439; amended Dec. 19, 2014, No. 7700, § 3, Sess. L. 2014, p. 369.

(a) Any male United States citizen or immigrant who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of section 3 of the "Military Selective Service Act", when applying to receive a driver's license or renewal. (b) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information required for registration of the applicants identified in paragraph (a) to the Selective Service System. The applicant's submission of the application shall serve as an indication that the applicant has already registered with the Selective Service or that he is authorizing the Director to forward to the Selective Service the necessary information for such registration. The Director shall notify the applicant on the application that his submission of the application will serve as his consent to be registered with the Selective Service System, if so required by Federal Law. (c) The provisions of this section shall apply to male United States citizens or immigrants under age 26 who are applying for issuance, renewal or duplicate of a learner's permit, or driver's license. History: Added Feb. 21, 2002, No. 6499, § 1, Sess. L. 2002, p. 205; amended Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall issue decals to person who are hearing impaired. The decal, in addition to indicating that the person is hearing impaired, must also indicate how the person communicates with hearing persons, whether through sign language, lip reading or some other means. The decal must be placed in the vehicle where it can be readily seen from outside the vehicle. History: Added July 9, 2018, No. 8057, § 4, Sess. L. 2018, p. 102.

As used in this subchapter, the following terms have the meaning expressed in this section. (a) "Director" means the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director or the Director's designee. (b) "Non-Real ID Limited Purpose Virgin Islands Identification Card" or "Limited Purpose ID" means an identification card issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in a manner not compliant with the Real ID Act of 2005 for territorial use only. (c) "Non-Real ID Limited Purpose Virgin Islands Operator's License" or "Limited Purpose Operator's License" means an operator's license issued by the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in a manner not compliant with the Real ID Act of 2005 and for territorial use only. (d) "Resident" means any natural person who has maintained a residence in the Virgin Islands for at least 180 days. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 174.

(a) Upon an applicant's submission of a completed application, payment of the fee prescribed pursuant to section 372d(a), a special processing fee of $15, and the documents presented have verified that the person described is the applicant and that such applicant meets the application requirements and any other conditions promulgated by Director, the Director shall issue to the applicant a nontransferable Non-Real ID Limited Purpose Virgin Islands Identification Card. (b) Every Limited purpose ID or renewal issued to a person under twenty-one must have prominently imprinted "UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE" in notably distinctive print or format. (c) The Limited Purpose ID must contain the holder's photograph pursuant to regulations established by the Director. Any photograph taken as part of the application procedure for an identification card is not a public record. (d) A Limited Purpose ID is valid for three years from the date of issuance. The date of issuance and expiration must be noted on the identification card. (e) A Limited Purpose ID does not convey voting privileges and is not valid for any official federal purpose. (f) A Limited Purpose ID is for local identification purposes only and must bear the words "Not Valid for Federal Purposes." (g) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action where the prohibition or restriction is contrary to federal law. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 174, 175.

Islands Identification Cards (a) The Director shall require an applicant for a Limited Purpose ID or renewal to provide proof of the applicant's identity. (b) When applying for Limited Purpose ID, the applicant shall submit documentation establishing proof of identity and proof of residency in the Virgin Islands for not less than 180 days. Proof of identity is established either through one form of primary proof of identity or through two forms of secondary proof of identity. Documentation of legal status is not required. (c) Primary proof of identity includes: (1) A valid passport issued by the applicant's country of citizenship that is unexpired or expired for not more than two years at the time the application for Limited Purpose ID Card is submitted; (2) A valid, unexpired consular identification document issued by an applicant's country of citizenship; or (3) any other form of identification published by the Director as acceptable primary proof of identification. (d) Secondary proof of identity includes: (1) A valid, unexpired motor vehicle operator's license, with security features, issued by another state or country; (2) A valid national identification card; (3) An original birth certificate with a raised seal issued by the applicant's country; (4) An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; (5) A Social Security Card; and (6) Any other form of identification published by the Director as acceptable as secondary proof of identification. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 175, 176.

Virgin Islands Identification Cards (a) The Director shall require an applicant for a Non-Real ID Limited Purpose Card, or renewal of it, to provide proof of the applicant's residency in the Virgin Islands for at least 180 days, including proof of physical address in the Virgin Islands. (b) Proof of residency is established by providing any one of the following documents that contain the applicant's name and physical address and is dated not less than 180 days before the date of application, unless otherwise provided: (1) A utility or medical bill; (2) A bank or credit card statement or transaction including the bank's name and mailing address; (3) A pre-printed pay stub; (4) A tax bill dated not less than twelve months before the date of application; (5) A current homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance policy or motor vehicle insurance card or policy; (6) A residential contract such as a mortgage or lease showing signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement; (7) Postmarked mail sent from the government or a utility company; (8) A change of address confirmation from the United States Postal Service indicating an applicant's current and prior address; (9) A survey of an applicant's real property issued by a licensed surveyor; (10) Any official school records showing enrollment dated not less than 180 days before the date of application; (11) Notarized affidavit from two persons attesting proof of residence; or (12) any other documentation published by the Director as acceptable proof of residence. (c) Any proof of identity or residency submitted to the Director in a language other than English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation of the document prepared by a translator. No photocopy, notarized photocopy, or nonnotarized document is acceptable as proof of identity. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 176, 177.

Applicants The Director shall issue a Non-Real ID Limited purpose Virgin Islands Operator's License in accordance with the procedures in section 373 of subchapter I to any resident who meets the qualifications and requirements of operators under subchapter I of this chapter, meets the proof of identity and residency requirements in section 386, and pays the fees prescribed pursuant to subchapter I, and a special processing fee of $15 under this section. Notwithstanding subchapter I, the Director may not decline to issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who meets the licensure requirements provided in this subchapter but cannot establish that they are legally present in the United States or do not have a Social Security number. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 177.

Operator's License The Director shall require an applicant for a non-Real ID Limited Purpose Virgin Islands operator's license or renewal thereof to provide proof of the applicant's identity and residency in the Virgin Islands for at least 180 days, including proof of physical address in the Virgin Islands. Documentation of legal status is not required. Proof of identity is established either through one form of primary proof of identity or through two forms of secondary proof of identity, as provided in section 386a. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 177.

Operators Licenses (a) Primary proof of identity includes: (1) A valid passport issued by the applicant's country of citizenship that is unexpired or expired for not more than two years at the time the application for a motor vehicle operator's license is submitted; (2) A valid, unexpired consular identification document issued by an applicant's country of citizenship; or (3) Any other form of identification published by the Director as acceptable primary proof of identification. (b) Secondary proof of identity includes: (1) A valid, unexpired motor vehicle operator's license, with security features, issued by another state or country; (2) A valid national identification card; (3) An original birth certificate with a raised seal issued by the applicant's country; (4) An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; (5) A Social Security Card; and (6) Any other form of identification published by the Director as acceptable secondary proof of identification. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 177, 178.

Virgin Islands Operator's License (a) Proof of residency is established by providing one of the following documents, which must contain the applicant's name and physical address and be dated at least 180 days before applying unless provided otherwise: (1) A dated utility or medical bill; (2) A dated bank or credit card statement or transaction, including the bank's name and mailing address; (3) A pre-printed pay stub; (4) A tax bill dated not less than twelve months before the date of application; (5) A current homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance policy or motor vehicle insurance card or policy; (6) A residential contract such as a mortgage or lease showing signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement dated not less than twelve months before the application; (7) Postmarked mail from the government or a utility company dated not less than twelve months before the application; (8) A change of address confirmation from the United States Postal Service indicating an applicant's current and prior address; (9) A survey of an applicant's real property issued by a licensed surveyor; (10) Any official school records showing enrollment dated not less than 12 months before the date of application; (11) Notarized affidavit from two persons attesting proof of residence; and (12) Any other documentation the Director publishes as acceptable proof of residence. (b) Any form of primary proof of identity or proof of residency submitted to the Director in a language other than English must be accompanied by a notarized English translation of the document prepared by a translator. No photocopy, notarized photocopy, or noncertified document is acceptable as a form of proof of identity. Additionally, the Director may require some foreign documents to be apostilled. (c) No inference may be made regarding legal status because of an application for or using the operator's license. (d) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action where the prohibition or restriction is contrary to federal law. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 178, 179.

Virgin Islands Operators' Licenses (a) As a prerequisite to issuing an operator's license, the Director shall administer a knowledge test to all applicants after the applicant has satisfied the requirements of this section. Not later than 30 days after the applicant has passed the knowledge test, the Director shall determine whether the applicant has been convicted of any felony in the Virgin Islands by requesting a criminal record matching the applicant's name and date of birth. (b) A Non-Real ID Limited Purpose operator's license is only for territorial driving. It is valid for three years, expires on the licensee's birthday in the third year, and must bear the words "Not Valid for Federal Purposes," and have a unique design or color indicator that distinguishes it from other driver's licenses as required by the Real ID Act of 2005. (c) Any operator's license issued under this section must indicate that the license is unacceptable for federal identification purposes. (d) No operator's license issued under this section may be used as identification for voting purposes. The back of the license must contain language indicating that it may be used for driving purposes only. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 179.

(a) Neither the Director, any employee of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, nor anyone who comes into possession of the information submitted by an applicant under this subchapter shall disclose or otherwise make accessible any motor vehicle record containing personal information or any personal information for any purposes related to Title 8 of the United States Code, any portion of any record that identifies whether or not the type of operator's license, motorcycle license, learner's permit, or non-driver identification card that a person has applied for complies with the provisions of the "REAL ID Act of 2005," Pub.L. 109-13, any acts amendatory or supplementary to it, or any federal regulations adopted thereunder, except where: (1) The applicant provides written informed consent to the disclosure; (2) The requesting entity presents a warrant signed by a territorial court or federal judge, lawful court order, or subpoena; (3) The disclosure is required by Virgin Islands or federal law; or (4) The disclosure is in connection with an audit or investigation of identity fraud, driver's license fraud, or non-driver identification fraud. (b) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or in any way restrict any action where the prohibition or restriction would be contrary to federal law. (c) The Director shall adopt regulations to implement this section. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 179, 180.

(a) Any officer or employee of an agency who, by employment or official position, has possession of, or access to, agency records that contain individually identifiable information or anyone who comes into possession of the agency records that contain individually identifiable information, the disclosure of which is prohibited by section 387 or by regulations established thereunder, and who knows that disclosure of the specific material is prohibited, willfully discloses the material in any manner to any person or agency not entitled to receive it, upon conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $1,000. (b) Any person who knowingly and willfully requests or obtains any record required by this subchapter from an agency concerning an individual under false pretenses upon conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to be fined not more than $1,000. History: Added Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 1, Sess. L. 2023, p. 180.

This chapter may be cited as the "The Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection and Commercial Driver's License Act". History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, p. 192.

The Legislature intends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection and Commercial Driver's License Act to serve the following purposes: (1) To grant authority to the Director of the BMV to adapt administrative rules to implement the Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection Program and the Commercial Driver's License Program; (2) To improve highway safety; and (3) To reduce the risk of terrorism in the Virgin Islands. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, pp. 192, 193.

As used in this chapter: (1) "Administrative decision" or "decision" means any decision, order or determination of the Department rendered in a particular case which affects the legal rights, duties or privileges of parties and which terminates the proceedings before the Department. The term "administrative decision" or "decision" does not mean or include rules, regulations, standards, or statements of policy of general application issued by an administrative agency to implement, interpret, or make specific the legislation enforced or administered by it unless such a rule, regulation, standard or statement of policy is involved in a proceeding before the Department and its applicability or validity is in issue in such proceeding, nor does it mean or include regulations concerning the internal management of the Department not affecting private rights or interests. (2) "Bureau, Bureau of Motor Vehicles or BMV" means the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (3) "CDL" means Commercial Driver's License. (4) "CDLIS" means Commercial Driver License Information System. (5) "Commercial motor vehicle" means any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on public highways in intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property when: (A) the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, whichever is greater; or (B) the vehicle is designed to carry eight or more passengers, including the driver but not including any commercial motor vehicle licensed, registered and regulated by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission; or (C) the vehicle is used in the transportation of materials found by the Virgin Islands Police Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to be hazardous for the purpose of the Hazardous Materials Act (49 U.S.C. sec.5101 et seq. and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. (6) "Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles" means the Virgin Islands Police Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, respectively. (7) "Director" means the Director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (8) "Out-of-service" means prohibited operation of a commercial vehicle for the period of time necessary to correct a condition contained in the current Out-of-Service Criteria. (9) "Out-of-service criteria" means the criteria approved by the Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for placing commercial motor vehicles and drivers engaged in intrastate commerce out-of-service. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, pp. 193, 194; amended Nov. 24, 2010, No. 7241, § 40, Sess. L. 2010, p. 294.

The following schedules are maximum fines for violation of regulations subject to this chapter: Note: Maximum Accumulated Fine for each group is the highest fine indicated for each group. For example, three separate violations for any group 3 item would be $150.00 for those three violations. Note: Group = the severity rating assigned to each violation with the #1, being the most severe. (a) Schedule I - DRIVER OUT-OF SERVICE Driver Out-of-Service Criteria Driver Uniform Fine Schedule VIOLATION GROUP One Violation Two Violations within same group Three Violations within same group Driver under 21 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 No operator's license 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 CDL Violations 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Medical Waiver when required 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Intoxicating Beverage (unopened container in cab) 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Impaired Driver (sick or fatigued) 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 10 Hour Violation 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 Driving After 15 Hours 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 Driving After 60/70 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 No Record of Duty Status 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 No Record of Duty Status (previous 7 days) 2 $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 False Log* 2 $300.00 n/a n/a Disqualified Driver 1 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 Drug Possession 1 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 Driving Under the Influence (Drugs) 1 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 Intoxicating Beverage (detectable presence/under the influence/possession of an open container) 1 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 (1) Violation of Out-of-Service Notice (each notice, not each offense) is $1,000.00. (2) * Any falsification of record of duty status (intentional) = $300.00 (b) Schedule II - VEHICLE OUT-OF-SERVICE Vehicle Out-of-Service Criteria Vehicle Uniform Fine Schedule VIOLATION GROUP One Violation Two Violations within same group Three Violations within same group Audible Air Leak, Brake Chamber 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Leaking Chamber, Loose Cap 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Master Cylinder (less than 1/4th full) 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Exhaust System (All) 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Windshield Wipers 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 All Others 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Loose Component 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Readjustment Limits 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Brake Lining or Pads 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Brake Lining or Pads (steering) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Parking Brakes (inoperable break-away system) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Parking Brakes (non-manufactured holes or cracks in spring brake housing) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Brake Hose 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Brake Tubing 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Low Pressure Warning Device 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Air Reservoir Security 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Air Compressor Mounting Bolts 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Power Assist Unit (fails to operate) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Hydraulic Lines or Hoses Defective 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Leaks (visible on application) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Hydraulic System Failure Warning System 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Vacuum Hoses or Lines 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Adjustable Axle (pins and locks) 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Fuel Tank Mounting and Fasteners 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Head & Tail Lamps 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Turn & Stop Lamps 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Suspension 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Van/Open-Top Trailer Bodies 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Wheels and Rims 2 $50.00 $150.00 $250.00 Defective Breaking Action 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Defective Braking Action (steering) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Missing Brake 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Missing Component 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Cracked or Broken Drum or Rotor 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Air Loss Rate Inadequate 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Tractor-Protection Valve (inadequate/inoperative) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Air Compressor (loose or broken pulley) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Air Compressor (broken mounting) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Electric Brakes (including Breakaway Device) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Hydraulic Brakes (no Pedal Reserve) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Breakaway Braking Device 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Vacuum System Reserve 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Coupling Devices - All (when in use) (cracked, broken, displaced) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Tire and Wheel Clearance 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Safe Loading (unsecured load) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Steering Mechanism 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Steering Axle 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 Emergency Exits (Buses) 1 $100.00 $300.00 $600.00 (c) Schedule III - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Out-of-Service Criteria Fine Schedule VIOLATION GROUP One Violation Two Violations within same group Three Violations within same group Shipping Papers (missing, incomplete or both) 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Bulk Package Markings 3 $30.00 $90.00 $150.00 Placarding/Number & Type (discolored, lack of or missing, no horizontal reading, incorrect) 2 $100.00 n/a* n/a* Bulk Packages 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Absence of PIH Markings/ Non-Bulk Packaging** 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Non-Bulk Packaging 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Loading & Securement (no leaks on packages) 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Forbidden Items 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Radioactive Materials Levels (at surface) 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 Poison Inhalation Hazard Markings/Bulk Packaging** 1 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 *Two and three violations are not applicable because there is only one group 2 violation in the hazardous materials out-of-service criteria. **PIH = Poison Inhalation Hazard (d) Violations of an out-of-service notice issued pursuant to this section is punishable by fines not to exceed $1,000.00. Nothing contained in this section may be construed as limiting the ability of this Territory to impose additional civil or criminal penalties. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, pp. 194-200.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) and the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and Regulations and commercial driver's license program, or compatible regulations of the Territory as adopted from time to time, this chapter is the sole and exclusive commercial motor vehicle safety regulations of this Territory. (b) The Director of Bureau of Motor Vehicles may, by rulemaking conducted in accordance with title 3 V.I.C., chapter 35, promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the Out-of-Service Criteria. In no case may the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles adopt or enforce or the Police Commissioner enforce out-of-service criteria that differ from those contained in the current Out-of-Service Criteria or impose fines that exceed the schedule of maximum fines established in subsections (393)(a), (393)(b) and (393)(c) of this chapter. (c) The courts of this Territory may impose, in addition to the maximum fines set forth in section 393, subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this chapter, charges for court costs. The charges may not exceed those imposed for non-commercial vehicle or driver violations, nor may such costs vary because of the state of licensure of the vehicle or driver. (d) The courts of this Territory may not impose surcharges of any type on the fines for violations of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection and Commercial Driver's License Act or the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and Regulations or compatible regulations of the Territory as adopted from time to time unless the surcharges are regularly imposed, in the same amounts, on non- commercial vehicles or driver violations, nor may such costs vary because of the state of licensure of the vehicle or drivers. (e) The Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may not issue more than one citation for multiple violations of each item of each group of the criteria set forth in section 394, subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this chapter. (f) The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may, by rulemaking conducted in accordance with 3 V.I.C., chapter 35, and the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005, promulgate regulations to implement the Commercial Driver's License Program. These rules may be done through BMV Directives or other supplemental standard operating procedures as required, or both. (g) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is the sole entity of the Virgin Islands Government empowered to create territorial driver's licenses for commercial, vehicles-for-hire, non-commercial driver's licenses and identification cards. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, pp. 200, 201.

(a) Time limit for contesting citation or fine. If, after any citation or fine is issued by the Department under this chapter, the person wishes to contest the citation or fine imposed, the person has fifteen working days from receipt of the citation or fine within which to notify the Department that he intends to contest the citation or fine. If within fifteen working days from receipt of the citation and fine issued by the Department the person fails to notify the Commissioner that he intends to contest the citation or fine, and no notice is filed by any employee or representative of the person under subsection (b) of this section within such time, the citation and fine, as assessed, shall be deemed a final order of the Department and not subject to review by any court. (b) Administrative officer. The Department shall appoint at least two Administrative Officers who are competent in the laws set out in this chapter to hear and review appeals of citations and fines. The Administrative Officer is an officer of limited powers. The Administrative Officer may not change the existing laws under this chapter nor may the Administrative Officer increase the maximum fines imposed under this chapter. The Administrative Officer has the following general powers: (1) To hear and decide all matters referred to it from the Department; (2) To hear and decide appeals made by any person or persons severally or jointly aggrieved by any citation or fine imposed by the Department. The Administrative Officer may reverse, affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from and shall make such order, requirement, decision or determination, as in his opinion ought to be made, and to that end shall have all powers of the officers from whom the appeal is taken. (c) Rules of procedure of the Administrative Officer. The Department shall adopt, from time to time, such rules and regulations as it may consider necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter, and except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, the regulations shall include, among other things, procedure for conduct of hearings, forms to be used in the submission of notice of appeal, times when hearings shall be held, and the forms of written reports and findings of the Administrative Officer. (d) Time for hearings. The Department shall fix a reasonable time for hearings, giving due notice thereof, but in no case may a hearing on a particular matter be held later than sixty 60 days after the filing of a notice of appeal with the Department on that matter. (e) Decisions. Decisions of the Administrative Officer take effect when rendered, and a copy of the decision must be filed with the Department. (f) Action of the Administrative Officer final. The action of the Administrative Officer is final, unless an appeal is taken to the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands no later than 30 days after the date upon which the applicant was officially notified of the Administrative Officer's final action. No case may be reopened, nor may any application be accepted constituting the same appeal involving the same citation and fine. (g) Rehearing. The Administrative Officer may grant a rehearing upon any appeal, if any application for such rehearing which includes new evidence to be presented which was not considered by the Administrative Officer at the hearing, is made to the Administrative Officer no later than 30 days after the date upon which the applicant was notified of the Administrative Officer's original action. Only one application for rehearing may be made in any case. (h) Minutes and findings of the Administrative Officer. The Department shall keep minutes of the hearings before the Administrative Officer, recording the action of the Administrative Officer. The Department shall also keep records of the Administrative Officer's examinations and other official actions, all of which must be filed promptly with the Department and must be open to public examination at reasonable hours. All findings and actions of the Administrative Officer must be in writing and must set forth the reasons for the action taken irrespective of what action was taken. Findings must be complete, detailed and in specific terms setting forth the reasons for the decisions and must go beyond such generalities as "in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare". In every instance, a statement of the facts upon which such action is based must appear in the minutes. (i) Assistance to the Administrative Officer. The Administrative Officer may call upon other governmental departments for assistance in the performance of his duties and it is the duty of such departments to render such assistance as may be reasonably required. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, pp. 201-203.

(a) All administrative decisions of the Department under this chapter are subject to judicial review. (b) Any person aggrieved by a final decision or action of the Department under this chapter is entitled to judicial review of the decision or action by filing an appeal with the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands no later than 30 days after the date of the action or decision complained of. Upon the appeal, the determinations of the Department as to questions of fact are deemed final in the absence of conclusive showing to the court of fraud or misrepresentation. An appeal under this section does not operate to stay the action of the Department, unless ordered by the court. History: Added Oct. 15, 2010, No. 7202, § 1, Sess. L. 2010, p. 203.

(a) No person may operate an automobile for hire until he has applied for and been issued an operator's badge and an identification card by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, hereinafter the "Commission". The Taxicab Commission may not issue an operator's badge or an identification card to any person who has not complied with the pertinent provisions of chapter 35 of this title or, in the case of every applicant who has not been issued such a badge and card prior to April 17, 1967, who does not comply with or satisfy each of the following requirements and qualifications: (1) An applicant must be either a citizen of the United States or an immigrant alien admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the pertinent provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amImmigra8 U.S.C. §§1101tionality Actxcept that 8 U.S.C. §§8n applying for the renewal of a valid badge and card for a new license year who does not meet the requirements of this subdivision shall be issued a badge and card if application for status as an immigrant alien has been properly filed and is pending. In the event that such application lapses or is denied, the current badge and card shall immediately become invalid and void. (2) An applicant, if applying for his first badge and card, shall not be younger than 21 years of age and not older than 65 years of age. (3) An applicant must have established a continuous and unbroken residence in the Virgin Islands at least one year prior to application. (4) An applicant must have been a licensed operator for at least three years prior to application, except that in the case of a veteran he must have been a licensed operator for at least one year; Provided, however, That the Commission may refuse to issue a badge and card to an applicant in any case where he determines that the applicant did not have a good driving record in every jurisdiction in which he was licensed during such three-year period. The Commission shall base his determination upon the driving record of the applicant in the Virgin Islands and upon certified statements from the police officials in each other jurisdiction in which the applicant was licensed, which statements shall be obtained by written request by the Commission and shall specify every offense involving the operation or use of motor vehicles, except parking offenses. In making his determination of the driving ability and reliability of the applicant under this subdivision, the Commission shall consider the public safety and welfare of the Virgin Islands, and he shall not be limited by the provisions of section 547 of this title. In any case where the Commission refuses to issue a badge or a card because of his determination that the applicant did not have a good driving record during the three-year period, the applicant may request a hearing and a reconsideration by the Commission or he may appeal to the Superior Court. Pending the receipt of any information necessary to a determination under this subdivision, the Commission may issue a badge and identification card on a revocable and temporary basis to any applicant who submits a signed affidavit swearing or affirming that he has had a good driving record, as defined herein, during the period in question. (5) An applicant, if applying for his first badge and card, must receive a passing score in any written exam or driving test prescribed by the Commission. (b) Operators' badges shall be of the type provided by the Director and shall be purchased from him by the applicant. They shall be effective for a license year expiring on the fifteenth day of February following the date of issuance. As far as practicable, the same numbered badges shall be issued operators in succeeding years. (c) The badge shall show the number of the operator's license and shall be conspicuously worn by the operator at all times while operating or in charge of the automobile. Operators' badges shall not be transferred. (d) In addition to the operators' badge, every person operating an automobile for hire shall, at all times while operating or in charge of such automobile, carry posted on the right hand (passenger side) sun visor the identification card required by subsection (a) of this section. The identification card shall bear a recent photograph of the operator, his name printed in clear characters, and the number of the operator's license. The operator shall furnish the photograph in such size as shall be required by the Commission and the card shall be of the size and type as prescribed by the Commission. The identification card shall be legible and shall be visible to the passengers at all times, unless the passenger requests or permits the operator to alter the position of the sun visor. (e) After June 1, 1967, each operator's badge and identification card shall designate the island for which it is issued and shall be effective only for the island designated and may not be transferred to another person. (f) Any person who operates an automobile for hire without a valid operators' badge and identification card shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $50 for each offense. (g) [Repealed.] (h) Limousines are not considered automobiles for hire and are exempt from the jurisdiction or application of any rules and regulations implemented by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission. (i) All automobiles for hire shall be operated exclusively on the island for which the registration license and corresponding license plate(s) were issued and shall not be transported for use on any other island. (j) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, any person in possession of a valid Class C Virgin Islands Driver's License shall be authorized to operate an automobile for hire regardless of the existence of a Certificate of Entitlement. In the event of an accident or personal injury resulting from the use of a vehicle being operated as per this subsection, the medallion owner shall be held wholly liable for all damages, unless the medallion owner can show proof of a written executed lease between a lessee and the medallion owner. History: Amended June 3, 1960, No. 575, § 1, Sess. L. 1960, p. 76; June 7, 1960, No. 583, § 3, Sess. L. 1960, p. 83; Dec. 1, 1965, No. 1545, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 544; Apr. 17, 1967, No. 1908, § 2, Sess. L. 1967, pp. 93-95; June 1, 1967, No. 1990, § 4, Sess. L. 1967, p. 328; Oct. 11, 1967, No. 2066, § 2, Sess. L. 1967, p. 474; Dec. 20, 1967, No. 2088, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 539; Mar. 6, 1968, No. 2110, § 2, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 20; July 18, 1968, No. 2309, § 2, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 270; Mar. 16, 1970, No. 2666, Sess. L. 1970, p. 49; June 9, 1971, No. 3069, § 2, Sess. L. 1971, p. 292; July 29, 1971, No. 3081, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1971, p. 308, 309; Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197; May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 3(b), (c), Sess. L. 1978, p. 76; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Aug. 30, 1995, No. 6077, § 1, Sess. L. 1995, p. 201; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(1), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 10, 2007, 10, No. 6968, § 2(a), Sess. L. 2007, p. 146; amended Aug. 21, 2012, No. 7385, § 1, Sess. L. 2012, p. 183-184; amended Dec. 14, 2012, No. 7451, § 2, Sess. L. 2012, p. 359; amended Oct. 15, 2014, No. 7699, § 17(a)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2014, p. 360, 361.

With Requirements; Number of Operators; Renewal The Taxicab Commission shall issue a badge and identification card to each person who applies under section 401, Title 20, Virgin Islands Code, for his first badge and card as an operator of an automobile for hire licensed and registered as such in the name of a person who, prior to May 26, 1978, has five (5) or more motor vehicles registered and licensed as automobiles for hire in his name, regardless of whether the applicant complies with or satisfies the requirements and qualifications set forth in subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (a) of said section 401; Provided, however, That the number of operators, for any person, at any particular time, who have not met any or all of said requirements and qualifications may not exceed ten (10) or the number of automobiles for hire registered as such in the person's name at that time, whichever is the less; And provided, further, That the Taxicab Commission may not renew the badge or identification card issued under this section to any person who is not either a United States citizen or an immigrant alien, as defined, unless prior to the final date for renewal such person has applied for admission as an immigrant alien to the United States. The badge and card issued under this section to any person not meeting any or all of the requirements and qualifications of said subdivisions (1) and (3) shall be special and distinguished from other badges and cards for operators of automobiles for hire, and no such special badge or card may authorize or entitle the holder to operate any type of automobile for hire other than one registered in the name of either the person under whose quota the holder was issued the badge and card or the successor of such person. History: Dec. 20, 1967, No. 2088, § 2, Sess. L. 1967, p. 539, 540; amended May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 3(d), Sess. L. 1978, p. 76; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; amended Oct. 15, 2014, No. 7699, § 17(b), Sess. L. 2014, p. 361.

Taxicab inspectors are authorized to issue citations, returnable before the Taxicab Commission for violations of chapter 37, Title 20, Virgin Islands Code, or of any regulations of the Taxicab Commission: (1) Whenever any person is apprehended for any violation of this chapter committed in connection with the operation of a taxi, the apprehending peace officer may serve upon him a citation, which citation and notice shall be in the form approved by the Taxicab Commission and shall be known as a "taxi ticket." A "taxi ticket" shall include spaces for the name and address of the person cited, the offense charged and the time and place of its commission. Such spaces shall be filled with the appropriate information by the apprehending officer. The ticket shall also indicate the fine to be paid and a time limit for payment. If the fine is not paid within the stated time, a summons to appear before the Taxicab Commission shall be issued and, if the violation was committed in connection with the operation of a taxi, a lien may be placed against the same until the fine is paid. Upon the cited person's refusing to furnish his name and address he may be taken into custody by the apprehending officer; Provided that a peace officer shall not serve or issue a "taxi ticket" for any offense or violation except when the same is committed in his presence. For the purposes of this chapter the "Uniform Traffic Ticket" in the form prescribed by the District Court may be used by the members of the police force or taxi inspectors as "taxi tickets." (2) Any person willfully failing to pay a fine or appear before the Taxicab Commission as provided for in subparagraph (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor triable in the Superior Court regardless of the disposition of the "taxi ticket" for which he was originally cited; Provided that a hearing officer for taxi offenses, designated by the Taxicab Commission, shall have the additional function to accept appearance, waiver of trial, plea of guilty and payment of administrative fines for violations of this subsection, hereinafter referred to as "taxi tickets," subject to the following provisions: (A) A member of the Taxicab Commission or the Executive Director thereof, may be designated as a hearing officer in contested cases. (B) The Taxicab Commission shall by order, which may from time to time be amended, supplemented or repealed, designate the taxi offenses within the authority of the hearing officer; Provided that such offenses shall in no event include offenses cognizable in the District Court or violations resulting in property damage or personal injury. (C) The Taxicab Commission, by published order to be prominently posted in the place where the fines are to be paid, shall specify by suitable schedules the amount of the fines to be imposed for first, second and subsequent offenses, designating each offense specifically in the schedules; Provided that such fines shall be within the limits declared by this chapter in section 402(g). (D) Any person charged with a taxi offense within the authority of the hearing officer may appear in person before the hearing officer and upon signing a plea of guilty and waiver of trial, and pay the fine established for the offense charged. He shall, prior to such a plea, waiver, and payment, be informed of his right to an administrative hearing, that his signature to a plea of guilty will have the same force and effect as a court judgment, and that the record of his conviction will be sent to the Director of Motor Vehicles. A decision of the hearing officer, including his findings of facts and conclusions of law shall become final five (5) days after it is filed with the Taxicab Commission. (3) All administrative fines collected shall be deposited into the Taxicab Commission Fund previously created by Act No. 4129. No person who has been found guilty or who has signed a plea of guilty to three previous "taxi" offenses in the current calendar year shall be permitted to appear before the hearing officer unless the Taxicab Commission shall, by general order applying to certain specified offenses, permit such appearance, conditioned upon the payment of a substantially increased fine, which increase shall be specified in such general order. (4) The provisions of this chapter with regard to the apprehension or arrest of persons violating the same shall govern all peace officers in making arrests without a warrant for offenses committed in their presence, but the procedure prescribed herein shall not otherwise be exclusive of any method prescribed by law for the arrest and prosecution of a person for a misdemeanor. History: Added Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4646, § 4, Sess. L. 1981, p. 256; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 10, 2007, 10, No. 6968, § 2(b), (c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.

(a) Operators of automobiles for hire shall be decently attired and shall be polite to passengers. (b) Automobiles operated for hire shall be maintained in a clean condition. (c) Articles mislaid by passengers in automobiles for hire shall be given to the passengers or turned in to the office of the Taxicab Commission by the operators as soon as possible. (d) In a conspicuous place on the front windshield of every automobile for hire shall be posted a sign four (4) inches high and eight (8) inches wide, bearing the word "Taxi"; Provided, That in lieu of such sign, an automobile for hire may carry a dome light or similar lighted sign bearing the word "Taxi", which dome light shall be lighted when the automobile is on duty, but not occupied. Beginning July 1, 1971, every automobile for hire shall carry lights or a lighted sign installed in a position authorized by the Taxicab Commission pursuant to rules and regulations, which shall be lighted when the automobile is on duty, but not occupied. Every automobile for hire shall additionally have on its front windshield a sign three (3) inches high and six (6) inches wide with the words "On Duty" and "Off Duty" on opposite sides. The side which applies shall be displayed by the operator towards the front of the automobile at all times. Provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any automobile for hire owned by a tour or travel agency licensed under the provisions of chapter 9, Title 27 of this code and operated exclusively for the purpose of conducting tours. (e) While on duty, no operator of an automobile for hire may smoke in such automobile, sit in seats provided for passengers, or permit others who are not passengers to do so. While off duty, no operator of an automobile for hire may park such automobile in any space reserved for automobiles for hire. When an automobile for hire is parked in such a space, the operator may not wash or repair the automobile, except in case of emergency. (f) Upon tender of cash fare, operators or automobiles for hire while on duty on the public streets shall accept all public hire jobs which are proffered to them and shall not discriminate against any prospective passenger. No operator may charge a rate to any passenger in excess of the maximum rates established under the provisions of section 405 of this title. An operator may refuse to accept as a passenger any person in an intoxicated state. (g) Any person who violates any provision of this section or any rule or regulation of the Taxicab Commission shall be subject to an administrative fine imposed by the Taxicab Commission which shall not exceed $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation, $500 for the third violation and $1,000 for any subsequent violation within five years of the last violation. The Taxicab Commission may revoke any operator's badge and automobile for plates only after a fine has been imposed for more than three violations. No fine or penalty shall be imposed without previous notice and an opportunity for a fair hearing. (h) Operators of automobiles for hire shall keep in a conspicuous place within the motor vehicle for hire, and available to passengers, the list of maximum rates applicable to motor vehicles for hire, which list is published by the Taxicab Commission. History: Amended Apr. 17, 1967, No. 1908, § 3, Sess. L. 1967, pp. 95, 96; Oct. 11, 1967, No. 2066, § 3, Sess. L. 1967, p. 475; Jan. 16, 1970, No. 2609, Sess. L. 1969, p. 425, June 17, 1970, No. 2754, Sess. L. 1970, p. 182; Dec. 30, 1970, No. 2900, Sess. L. 1970, p. 387; June 9, 1971, No. 3069, § 3, Sess. L. 1971, p. 292; Dec. 27, 1974, No. 3640, § 7, Sess. L. 1974, p. 266; Oct. 11, 1979, No. 4369, § 6, Sess. L. 1979, p. 219; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147; July 12, 2011, No. 7266, § 3., Sess. L. 2011, p. 119; amended Oct. 15, 2014, No. 7699, § 17(b), Sess. L. 2014, p. 361.

The operator of a taxi may continually or alternately use, at his option, his taxi in one of two ways as follows: (1) As a public car, picking up and discharging passengers along a main route limited only by the vehicles passengers capacity; or (2) As a car for hire, transporting a contracting person or group from one point to another without stops for other soliciting persons that may be encountered in route. History: Added June 9, 1971, No. 3069, § 10, Sess. L. 1971, p. 297.

(a) In automobiles operated for hire no person shall be carried without the consent of the person engaging the automobile. (b) No motor bus, safari, surrey, or commercial carrying passenger vehicle shall carry any passenger in excess of its capacity. The carrying capacity of all such vehicles shall be determined by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and shall be conspicuously marked within and without the vehicle. However, the carrying capacity of a safari may not be more than 27 passengers. If the owner of any vehicle is dissatisfied as to the number permitted to be carried as determined by the Director, he may appeal to the Superior Court. History: Amended Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, § 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; amended Oct. 15, 2014, No. 7699, § 17(b), Sess. L. 2014, p. 361; amended July 10, 2024, No. 8844, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) The maximum rates to be collected for the service of motor vehicles operated for hire shall be fixed by the Taxicab Commission after investigation and receipt of evidence from any interested parties, provided that the rates fixed by law prior to and together with the enactment of this subsection shall apply until and unless changed by the Taxicab Commission. (b) A legible and complete copy of the tariff shall be kept continuously posted in a conspicuous place in all motor vehicles operated for hire. The back of the front seat shall be deemed a conspicuous place. (c) Should a dispute over the tariff arise between taxi operator and passenger, the taxi operator shall, if requested, drive the passenger to a police station or to the office of the Taxicab Commission where the dispute shall be decided by an officer designated by the Taxicab Commission or by a hearing officer or a taxi inspector, as the case may be. History: Amended May 16, 1957, No. 160, § 55, Sess. L. 1957, p. 38; Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4646, §§ 7, 8, Sess. L. 1981, p. 259; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147; amended Oct. 15, 2014, No. 7699, § 17(b), Sess. L. 2014, p. 361.

In Virgin Islands SCHEDULE I ISLAND OF ST. CROIX *MAXIMUM RATES - MOTOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE (per person) TO FROM CHRISTIANSTED Annaly $10.25 Anna's Hope 1.50 Bethlehem, Upper or Lower, Exp. Station, King's Hill, LaReine 3.25 Buccaneer Hotel 2.25 Bulowsminde 2.25 Butzberg 2.25 Cane Bay 10.25 Castle Coakley and Sion Farm 3.25 Castle Nugent 4.00 Catherine's Rest 2.50 Coakley Bay 4.00 Constitution Hill 2.25 Cotton Groves 4.75 Cotton Valley 4.75 Cramer's Park 5.50 East Point (U.S. Most Easterly Possession) 8.00 Emerald Bay Estates 4.25 Fareham 4.00 Frederiksted 10.00 Glynn 2.70 Grange 1.50 Grapetree Bay 5.50 Grassy Point 5.25 Great Pond 4.00 Green Cay 3.25 Grove Place 8.75 Hess Oil - Martin Marietta 4.00 Humbug 2.50 Jockey Market Blue Lagoon 1.50 La Grande Princess 1.50 Longford 3.25 Lowry Hill 3.25 Mon Bijou 3.25 Morning Star 2.25 Mount Washington 4.75 Pearl 3.50 Peter's Rest School 2.25 Peter's Rest Station 2.25 Petronella 4.00 Pueblo Shopping Center 1.25 Rust-up-Twist 9.00 Sally's Fancy 4.00 Salt River 7.25 Shoys Est. (Private Homes) 2.75 Solitude 3.25 Southgate and Tiperary 3.00 St. Croix-by-the-Sea 2.25 Strawberry and Barren Spot 3.25 Sunny Isle and Island Center 3.25 St. Peter's and Gallows Bay 2.25 Tamarind Reef 3.25 Turner Hole 5.50 Williams Delight 8.75 Welcome Estate and Tide Village 2.25 Fountain Valley Golf Course 9.00 TO FROM FREDERIKSTED Point Within Town Limits (Country Club to Hannah's Rest Corner) $1.25 Annaly 10.50 Butler Bay 3.25 Carlton 1.50 Davis Bay 13.50 Diamond and St. Georges 2.25 Grove Place and Mount Pleasant 2.25 Hess Oil - Martin Marietta 4.00 Inside Lanes of New Town 1.25 Jolly Hill 2.75 LaGrange 1.50 Little LaGrange 2.00 Manning's Bay 3.25 Mon Bijou 3.25 Mount Washington (Frederiksted) 7.25 Sion Farm 4.00 Sprat Hall 2.25 Sunny Isle 8.50 Sunset Beach 1.25 Whim and Good Hope 1.50 TO FROM AIRPORT Annaly $10.50 Belvedere 8.75 Buccaneer 4.75 Bulowsminde 4.00 Canaan 7.25 Cane Bay Plantation 10.50 Cane Garden 8.75 Castle Nugent 10.50 Christiansted 4.00 Coakley Bay 5.50 Constitution Hill 4.00 Cotton Grove 5.50 Cotton Valley 5.50 Cramer's Park 7.25 Davis Beach 12.00 Fareham 10.50 Fountain Valley 8.75 Frederiksted 3.25 Grapetree Bay 7.25 Great Pond 5.50 Green Cay 5.25 Hams Bay - Clover Crest 5.50 Hams Bay Coast Guard 5.50 Hess Oil 8.00 Humbug 8.75 King Frederiksted 3.50 LaGrange 4.00 Longford 8.75 Martin Marietta 3.25 Mount Washington East End 5.50 Oxford 10.50 Petronella 5.50 Queen Quarter 3.25 Queen Quarter Beach Club 4.00 River 7.25 Sally's Fancy 5.50 Sandy Point 4.00 Salt River 8.75 Shoys Estate 5.25 Sion Valley 8.75 Skyway Inn - Race Track 1.25 Smugglers 7.25 Solitude 5.50 South Gate 5.25 Sprat Hall 4.00 St. Croix-by-the-Sea 4.00 Sugar Mill Estate 8.75 Sunny Isle 3.25 Tamarind Reef 5.25 The Beach Hotel of St. Croix 7.25 Tide Village 4.75 Work and Rest 4.00 TOUR 1. Christiansted and Frederiksted via Annaly and Bethlehem. Starting from Christiansted to Airport, travel on paved Centerline Road to Frederiksted, allowing 30 minutes for shopping. Travel north to Mahogany Road, turn right and proceed via Orange Grove to Annaly, bearing left at first paved intersection. Returning from Annaly, proceed via Lower Love, Castle Burke, to Bethlehem Sugar Factory. Travel south to Centerline Road, turn left to Christiansted via Rachel Levine (Alexander Hamilton's Mother) Monument Site, straight to Airport. Rate over 4 persons $ 7.00 Minimum charge 20.00 Time Two (2) hours TOUR 2: Christiansted and Frederiksted via Annaly and Bethlehem, Canaan or Parasol Hill. Starting from Christiansted or Airport travel on paved Centerline Road to Frederiksted, allowing 30 minutes for shopping. Travel north to Mahogany Road, turn right and proceed via Orange Grove to Annaly, bearing left at first paved intersection. Returning from Annaly, bear left at first intersection and proceed via Lower Love, Castle Burke to Bethlehem Sugar Factory. Proceed on dirt road due east to first road turning, make left turn and travel due north over Canaan Hill, passing Mon Bijou, Little Fountain, Betsy's Jewel on to La Valley. Turn right, follow coastline, pass Rust-up-Twist, Baron Bluff to Salt River and join asphalt road at Morning Star. Turn left to Christiansted or Airport (Alternate route from Annaly over Parasol Hill), same as Tour 3. Rate over 4 persons $ 7.50 Minimum charge 22.00 Time Three (3) hours TOUR 3: Starting at Christiansted, via Centerline Road, after passing Bethlehem Sugar Factory on Centerline Road, turn right on first paved road at Bus Shelter. Follow paved road past Grove Place, turn left at Church and Shrine and bear right at first paved intersection to Annaly. Returning from Annaly on same road to Grove Place, turn left at dirt intersection. Turn left at first turn and continue through Estate River. Climb upward over Parasol Hill down to the sea. Turn right and pass North Star, Cane Bay through La Valley. Follow the Coast, passing Rust-up-Twist, Baron Bluff over to Salt River. Join asphalt road at Morning Star and turn left to Christiansted. Rate over 4 persons $ 7.50 Minimum charge 22.00 Time Three (3) hours TOUR 4: Starting at Christiansted via Centerline Road and Rachel Levine (Alexander Hamilton's Mother) Monument Site, stop at Agricultural Station. Proceed via Centerline Road, turning right at first small grocery on paved road. Turn next on dirt road a short distance to Strawberry to photograph Mill Tower with steps. Continue on Centerline Road, turning right at second paved road, and stop at Bethlehem Sugar Factory. From there turn right to Fredensborg and turn left at next intersection, photographing Mon Bijou at Canaan Hill for panorama pictures. Come down mountain to the sea, turning right at La Valley and following Coast. Pass Rust-up-Twist, Baron Bluff over to Salt River and join asphalt road at Morning Star, turning left on to Christiansted. Rate over 4 persons $ 8.50 Minimum charge 22.00 Time Three (3) hours TOUR 5: Starting at Christiansted going east on paved road, bear right on gravel road via South Gate, Green Cay, to Cramer's Park and thence to the east of the Island (U.S. Most Easterly Possession). After leaving East End, turn left at first road and cut across Island and bear right following the South Shore Road, passing Grassy Point and bearing left at first intersection. Continue to a "T" intersection. Turn right and proceed over Lowry Hill to paved road. Turn left to Christiansted. Rate over 4 persons $ 7.00 Minimum charge 20.00 Time Two (2) hours ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS: A. This Taxi Tariff must be posted in all public vehicles. B. Each additional passenger on all point to point runs, except as otherwise specified $1.25. C. Children under 6 years of age when accompanied by an adult half rate. D. Suitcases, grips and liquor boxes in excess of one for each passenger $0.30. E. Trunks and boxes $0.40. F. Waiting charges $0.10 per minute. G. A charge of $10.00 per hour for any tour which goes over the time limit. H. All tours one to four persons on minimum rate. I. The charge to country points not mentioned in this Tariff shall be arrived at by using the nearest tariffed place crossed and the next tariffed place ahead. The fare shall be based on the point or place nearest to the passenger's destination. J. Charges are for one passenger unless specified as "trip" which means the charge for transporting one to four passengers from one point to another. K. Party with less than 4 persons and with pet, pay for four seats (fares) to their destination. Customer must be informed before departure. L. (a) Two paid seats guaranteed minimum on any scheduled run for person requesting car for themselves only. Customer must be informed before departure. (b) No additional passenger(s) shall be picked up en route unless fully agreed to by the original passenger(s). (c) When a group of passengers are carried, the single rate plus the extra charge should be totalled and divided equally among them. M. All taxis must have ON DUTY-OFF DUTY signs posted. When on duty, they must pick up all passengers except in areas where a contract or franchise has been awarded to a group or a specific person. SCHEDULE II ISLAND OF ST. JOHN RATES - MOTOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE FROM CRUZ BAY To One Person Two People Three and Over Annaberg 8.00 10.00 4.00 each Bethany 2.00 4.00 2.00 each Beth Cruz 2.00 4.00 2.00 each Bordeaux Mountain 8.00 10.00 4.00 each Caneel Bay 1.50 3.00 1.50 each Cathermeberg 3.00 5.00 2.00 each Chocolate Hole 3.00 5.00 2.00 each Cinnamon Bay 5.00 7.00 2.50 each Coral Bay 8.00 10.00 4.00 each Dennis Bay 4.00 6.00 2.00 each Francis Bay 7.50 9.00 3.50 each Frank Bay 1.00 2.00 1.00 each Goat Path (Maho Bay) 6.00 8.00 3.00 each Gallows Point 1.00 2.00 1.00 each Gift Hill 3.00 5.00 2.50 each Great Cruz Bay 2.50 4.00 1.75 each Grunwald 2.50 4.00 1.75 each John's Head 3.50 5.50 2.50 each Lamishur 11.00 14.00 5.50 each Little Maho 8.00 10.00 3.50 each Little Hawks Nest 2.50 4.00 1.75 each Pine Piece 1.00 2.00 1.00 each Power Boyd Plantation 2.00 2.00 2.00 each Reef Bay Trail 6.00 8.00 3.00 each Rosenberg 4.00 6.00 2.50 each Serendip 1.75 3.50 1.75 each Susannaberg 2.50 4.00 1.75 each Trunk Bay 4.00 6.00 2.00 each FROM CANEEL BAY To One Person Two People Three and Over Coral Bay 7.50 9.00 3.50 each Trunk Bay 3.50 5.00 2.00 each FROM CORAL BAY To One Person Two People Three and Over Bloomingdale 2.00 4.00 2.00 each Calabash Boom 2.00 4.00 2.00 each East End 6.00 9.00 3.50 each John's Folly School 3.00 5.00 2.00 each Trunk Bay via Centerline Road 9.00 12.00 4.00 each Trunk Bay via N.S. Road 7.00 10.00 3.50 each ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS: A. This Taxi Tariff must be posted in all public vehicles. B. The charge to country points not mentioned in this section shall be arrived at by using the nearest tariffed place crossed and the next tariffed place ahead. The fare shall be based on the point or place nearest to the passenger's destination. C. Round trip fares: Double the one-way fare, plus waiting charges. D. Waiting time: $0.15 per minute. E. Radio Call: One-third plus the basic fare. F. Between the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m., an additional 40% of the fare will be charged. G. Minimum fare in Cruz Bay: $1.75 per person. H. Double one-way fares on any scheduled run for person requesting car for themselves only. Customer must be informed before departure. I. Trunks, boxes and suitcases: $0.50 each. J. Grips and liquor boxes in excess of one each per passenger: $0.50 each. K. Rates for sightseeing tours: (1) One or two passengers: $18.00. (2) Three or more passengers: $7.00 per passenger. (3) Limited time for tours: Two hours. L. All Taxis must have ON DUTY - OFF DUTY signs posted. When on duty they must pick up all passengers. M. Children under six (6) years of age when accompanied by an adult: half rate. N. No licensed public vehicle may charge above or below published rates. SCHEDULE III ISLAND OF ST. THOMAS MAXIMUM RATES - MOTOR VEHICLES FOR HIRE Town Airport One person More than one person (per person) One person More than one person (per person) Agnes Fancy, Turnbull and New Islander 3.50 2.00 4.50 2.50 Agnes Fancy - Intersection at Singleton Home 3.00 2.50 4.00 2.50 Airport Terminal 3.50 3.00 - - Bali Hai Hotel 7.00 4.00 8.00 5.00 Black Point (Top) 6.50 3.50 5.00 3.25 Bluebeard's Beach Club 9.00 5.00 10.00 6.00 Bolongo 6.00 3.50 7.00 4.00 Bolongo Estate Peak 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Bonne Esperance 6.00 3.50 5.00 3.25 Bordeaux Housing Development 7.50 4.00 6.00 4.00 Botany Bay 10.00 6.00 8.50 5.00 Bournefield (Low Cost Housing) 3.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Bovoni 5.50 3.00 7.00 4.00 Brewer's Bay and CVI 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 Brookman Level 5.00 3.50 6.50 4.00 Brookman Hill (Top) 5.50 3.50 7.00 4.00 Brown Estate 4.25 3.00 5.50 3.50 Canaan 4.50 3.00 6.25 4.00 Caret Bay Estate 6.00 3.50 5.00 3.50 Caribbean Beach Hotel 3.50 3.00 1.50 1.50 Cassi Hill (Top) 5.00 3.00 6.00 3.50 Coki Beach 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Contant (Great House -Mill) 4.00 3.00 3.50 2.50 Contant Development (via Hideway Road) 4.50 3.00 3.00 2.50 Contant (To Bridge at Soto Town) 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 Contant (Beyond Bridge at Soto Town) 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Contant (Lindbeth Jewelry) 2.50 2.50 2.00 2.00 Crown Colony 6.50 3.50 5.50 3.50 Crown Mountain Peak 6.50 3.50 6.00 3.50 Crown Jenni 5.50 3.50 5.00 3.00 Cowpet Bay 9.00 5.00 10.00 6.00 Dorothea Beach Club 8.50 5.00 9.00 5.00 Dorothea Estate 6.00 4.00 6.00 4.00 Drake's Seat 4.00 2.50 6.00 3.50 Elizabeth Estate 4.00 2.50 6.00 3.50 Emerald Hill (Top) 5.50 3.50 6.50 4.00 Flagg Hill (Top) 5.50 3.50 6.75 4.00 Fort Mylner Shopping Center 4.00 2.50 5.25 3.50 Fortuna Mill 7.00 3.50 5.50 3.00 Fortuna Point 10.00 6.00 8.00 5.00 Frydenhoj 5.50 4.00 7.00 4.50 Frenchman's Bay 5.50 3.00 6.50 4.50 Frenchman's Reef 5.00 3.00 6.50 3.50 Gold Hill 6.00 4.00 6.50 4.50 Harmony Estate 6.00 4.00 7.50 4.50 Havensight (Cross Road) 3.50 2.50 4.50 3.00 Hawk Mountain 6.75 4.00 7.50 4.50 Hope Estate (Newton House Intersection) 5.50 3.50 4.50 3.00 Hull Bay Beach (Beyond Larry's Bar) 6.50 3.50 8.00 4.50 Hull Bay (Above Larry's Bar) 5.50 3.00 6.50 3.50 Hull Bay - Tropeco Point 8.00 4.50 9.00 5.50 Krum Bay (Power Plant) 3.00 3.00 1.75 1.75 Krum Bay (Sub Base) 2.50 2.00 2.00 1.50 Lagoon Fishing Center 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Limetree Hotel 5.50 3.00 6.50 4.00 Lindberg Bay Beach Club 3.00 3.00 1.50 1.50 Long Point 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Louisenhoj Castle 4.00 2.50 6.00 3.50 Lovenlund 5.50 3.00 6.50 4.00 Madison (James) School 3.50 2.50 5.00 3.50 Mafolie 4.00 2.50 6.00 3.50 Mafolie Church 4.00 2.50 6.00 3.50 Mafolie Hotel 3.50 2.50 5.50 3.50 Magens Bay 6.00 3.50 7.00 4.00 Magens Bay Peak 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Magens Point Hotel 5.50 3.00 6.50 4.00 Mahogany Run Golf Course 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Mandahl Bay 7.50 4.00 8.50 4.75 Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Morningstar Beach Club 5.00 3.00 6.00 3.50 Nadir Hill 5.00 3.00 6.00 4.50 Nisky 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Paul's Cross Road 4.50 3.00 5.00 3.00 Pelican Beach 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Pavillions 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Pineapple Hotel 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Raphune Hill (Top) 3.50 2.50 4.50 3.00 Red Hook 7.50 4.00 8.50 4.50 Rosendahl 5.50 3.00 6.50 4.00 St. Peter Mountain 6.50 4.00 7.50 4.50 Sapphire Beach Club 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Scott's Beach 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Secret Harbor Area 7.00 4.00 8.00 4.50 Shibui Hotel and Plantation Apartments 5.00 3.00 5.00 3.00 Smith Bay 5.50 3.00 6.75 4.00 Solberg Lookout 5.00 3.00 6.00 3.50 Sorgenfri Estates 6.00 3.50 5.00 3.00 Tabor Estate 6.00 3.50 7.00 4.50 Thatch Farm and Kirwan Terrace 3.00 3.00 2.00 2.00 Thomas Estate (New Quarters) 2.00 2.00 4.00 2.50 Tutu (Old Development) 4.50 2.50 5.50 3.50 Tutu (New Development) 4.50 2.50 5.50 3.50 Virgin Isle Hotel 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 West Indian Company Dock 2.00 2.00 3.50 3.50 Wintberg 5.00 3.00 6.50 4.00 MISCELLANEOUS POINT-TO-POINT RUNS From To One passenger More than one person (per person) Morningstar Beach Red Hook 7.00 4.00 Virgin Isle Hotel Bluebeard's Castle 3.00 3.00 Magen's Bay Red Hook 7.00 4.00 Shibui Magen's Bay 8.00 4.50 Berg's Homes High Road 2.00 2.00 Red Hook Bali Hai 6.00 3.50 Red Hook Bovoni 4.00 2.50 Red Hook Bolongo 5.00 3.50 Red Hook Bordeaux 12.00 6.50 Red Hook Crown Mountain 10.00 5.50 Red Hook Donoe 5.00 3.00 Red Hook Dorothea 8.00 4.50 Red Hook Hull Bay 9.00 5.00 Red Hook Island View 8.50 4.50 Red Hook Limetree Hotel 6.00 3.50 Red Hook Mafolie 7.50 4.50 Red Hook Mandahl Estate 6.50 3.50 Red Hook Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 8.50 4.50 Red Hook Shibui 9.00 5.00 Red Hook Tutu 4.00 3.00 Red Hook Wintberg 6.00 3.50 Tutu Bali Hai 5.00 3.00 Tutu Bolongo 4.50 3.00 Tutu Bovoni 3.50 2.50 Tutu Bordeaux 10.00 5.50 Tutu Caret Bay 7.50 4.50 Tutu Cowpet Bay 6.00 3.50 Tutu Crown Mountain 8.00 4.50 Tutu Frenchman's Reef 6.00 3.50 Tutu Coki Beach 3.00 3.00 Tutu Limetree Hotel 6.50 4.00 Tutu Mafolie 5.00 3.00 Tutu Magen's Bay 5.00 3.00 Tutu Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 6.00 3.50 Tutu Shibui 7.50 4.50 Bali Hai Hotel Bolongo 6.00 3.50 Bali Hai Hotel Bovoni 5.50 3.50 Bali Hai Hotel Cowpet Bay 7.00 4.00 Bali Hai Hotel Crown Mountain 9.00 5.00 Bali Hai Hotel Limetree Hotel 7.00 4.00 Bali Hai Hotel Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 7.00 4.00 Bali Hai Hotel Virgin Isle Hotel 8.00 4.50 Bolongo Coki Beach 6.00 3.50 Bolongo Donoe 5.00 3.00 Bolongo Island View 7.00 4.00 Bolongo Shibui 7.50 4.50 Donoe Limetree Hotel 6.00 3.50 Frenchman's Reef Bali Hai Hotel 7.50 4.50 Frenchman's Reef Donoe 5.50 3.00 Frenchman's Reef Limetree Hotel 3.50 3.50 Island View Limetree Hotel 6.50 4.00 Island View Pineapple 7.50 4.50 Island View Shibui 3.00 3.00 Magen's Bay Frenchman's Reef 8.00 4.50 Magen's Bay Limetree 8.00 5.00 Magen's Bay Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 5.50 3.50 Mahogany Run Bolongo 6.00 3.50 Mahogany Run Cowpet Bay 7.00 4.00 Mahogany Run Frenchman's Reef 7.50 4.50 Mahogany Run Limetree 7.00 4.00 Mahogany Run Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 6.00 3.50 Mahogany Run Red Hook 6.00 4.00 Mahogany Run Shibui 8.00 4.50 Mahogany Run Virgin Isle Hotel 7.50 4.50 Shibui Frenchman's Reef 7.00 4.00 Shibui Mountain Top Hotel and Apartments 5.50 3.50 ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS: A. This Taxi Tariff must be posted in all public vehicles. B. Town limits for the purposes of this schedule, shall end on the North at Berg's Homes or the West of Burma Road, and includes High Road Catch Basin, Frenchman Hill to the Boschulte House. C. The charge to country points not mentioned in this schedule shall be arrived at by using the nearest tariffed place crossed and the next tariffed place ahead. The fare shall be based on the point or place nearest to the passenger's destination. D. Round trip fares: Double the one-way fare, plus waiting charges. E. Waiting time: $0.15 per minute after the first 10 minutes. F. Radio Call: One-third plus the basic fare. G. Between the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m. all out-of-town fares will be $1.50 additional to the regular fare and in-town $1.00 additional. H. Within city limits: $1.75 per person. I. Double one-way fares on any scheduled run for person requesting car for themselves only. Customer must be informed before departure. J. Trunks, boxes and suitcases: $0.50 each. K. Grips and liquor boxes in excess of one each per passenger: $0.50 each. L. Rates for sightseeing tours: (1) One or two passengers: $20.00. (2) Three or more passengers: $10.00 per passenger. (3) Limited time for tours: two hours. M. All Taxis must have ON DUTY - OFF DUTY signs posted. When on duty they must pick up all passengers. History: Added June 24, 1959, No. 481, § 1, Sess. L. 1959, p. 116; amended Apr. 9, 1963, No. 1013; June 28, 1963, No. 1043, §§ 1-3, Sess. L. 1963, p. 407; Mar. 23, 1965, No. 1378, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 115; July 2, 1965, No. 1491, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 407; April 17, 1967, No. 1908, § 4, Sess. L. 1967, pp. 96-99; Oct. 11, 1967, No. 2066, § 4, Sess. L. 1967, p. 475, 476; Feb. 12, 1969, No. 2422, § 1, Sess. L. 1969, p. 77; June 9, 1971, No. 3069, §§ 7, 11, 12, Sess. L. 1971, p. 293, 297; Feb. 17, 1972, No. 3163, Sess. L. 1972, p. 4; Mar. 14, 1972, No. 3184, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1972, p. 37; July 10, 1972, No. 3246, Sess. L. 1972, p. 172; Dec. 27, 1974, No. 3640, § 1, Sess. L. 1974, p. 262; Aug. 10, 1978, No. 4185, § 1, Sess. L. 1978, p. 203; Oct. 31, 1979, No. 4370, § 3, Sess. L. 1979, p. 220; Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4646, §§ 1, 2, 11, Sess. L. 1981, pp. 248-256, 260.

History: Repealed. Dec. 27, 1974, No. 3640, § 2, Sess. L. 1974, p. 265.

Issuance, Fees (a) After October 30, 1978, no person, company, corporation, or partnership may register an automobile for hire or purchase license plates therefor or own an automobile for hire enterprise within the Virgin Islands who has not first obtained an automobile-for-hire medallion as provided by this subchapter. (b) Automobile-for-hire medallions (hereinafter referred to as "medallions") shall be sold by the Taxicab Commission in the manner provided by this subchapter. The Taxicab Commission shall cause to be minted such medallions as may be required to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. Medallions shall consist of a metal plaque of such design as may be determined by the Taxicab Commission. Each medallion shall bear on its face a permanent registration number different from that of any other medallion, and shall be marked for the island for which it is to be issued. (c) The Taxicab Commission shall sell to any person, company, corporation, or partnership who owned on May 12, 1978, a valid set of Virgin Islands license plates issued for an automobile for hire, one medallion for each such set of plates owned. The Taxicab Commission shall charge twenty-five dollars for each medallion sold. In the calendar year beginning January 1, 1979, and in each calendar year thereafter the Taxicab Commission shall sell no more than ten new medallions each year. New medallions sold on and after January 1, 1979, shall be sold to the highest bidder from among approved buyers as provided by section 410 of this title; provided, however, that on December 15 and 16 of each year or on the next available business days thereafter, a minimum of six new medallions shall be sold at auction exclusively to approved buyers who are Virgin Islands veterans, and of the six eligible buyers, two shall be residents of St. Thomas, two shall be residents of St. Croix, and two shall be residents of St. John. Any person who purchases a medallion at auction pursuant to this subsection is prohibited from transferring said medallion by sale, lease or otherwise, within three years of said purchase. The three-year prohibition on leasing medallions does not apply to veterans. A veteran who acquires a medallion at a veteran's auction under this subsection may not sell the medallion to a person who is not a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. The son, daughter, spouse or any heir of a veteran who inherits a medallion acquired at auction by the veteran pursuant to this subsection, is prohibited from transferring said medallion by sale, lease, gift, or otherwise, to any person who is not a veteran. The revenues from the sale under this section shall be deposited in the Taxicab Commission Fund of the Virgin Islands Treasury. (d) For purposes of this section "Virgin Islands veteran" or "veteran" means: (1) a person who entered active United States military service while domiciled in the Virgin Islands or who was a domiciliary of the Virgin Islands but entered active military service while temporarily residing in another jurisdiction; or (2) a person with qualifying National Guard service as defined in 23 V.I.C. § 1556a; or (3) a veteran as defined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who has resided in the Territory for not less than 10 years prior to participating in a veterans' auction conducted pursuant to this section. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 76; amended Aug. 10, 1978, No. 4185, § 2(c), Sess. L. 1978, p. 205; Aug. 13, 1984, No. 4980, § 1, Sess. L. 1984, p. 221; Aug. 19, 1988, No. 5358, § 3, Sess. L. 1988, p. 207; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147; amended Oct. 8, 2015, No. 7773, § 1, Sess. L. 2015, p. 100; amended May 29, 2019, No. 8170, § 1, Sess. L. 2019, p. 1; amended July 20, 2019, No. 8180, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 2019, p. 12.

Buyers (a) The Taxicab Commission shall keep and maintain an accurate Registry of Medallions which shall include each medallion registration number, the island for which it is valid, its owner, the attachment and cancellation of any lien or encumbrances against any medallion, the number of the set of license plates issued each medallion each year, any change in ownership of the medallion and such other information as the Taxicab Commission deems necessary. The Registry of Medallions shall be public information pursuant to Title 3, chapter 33, Virgin Islands Code. (b) The owner of any medallion may sell the medallion to any approved buyer. The set of license plates for an automobile for hire issued to the seller of the medallion for that medallion may be transferred to the buyer after the inspection and registration of his vehicle as required by law, or destroyed and a new set of plates issued the buyer as determined by the Taxicab Commission. No sale of any medallion shall be valid until the Taxicab Commission has been notified of the sale, the buyer has been approved by the Taxicab Commission, and the transaction is noted in the Registry of Medallions. (c) No person, company, corporation, or partnership may own more than two medallions at any one time, provided, however, that those persons, companies, corporations, or partnerships, who owned on May 12, 1978, more than two valid sets of Virgin Islands license plates for an automobile-for-hire may own no greater number of medallions than the number of such sets of plates owned on that date, and provided further that any person, company, corporation, or partnership owning more than two medallions may not purchase any other medallion while he is the owner of more than two medallions. (d) Any person, company, corporation, or partnership desiring to purchase a medallion under this subchapter from either the Taxicab Commission or another medallion owner may do so if approved by the Taxicab Commission except that Virgin Islands veterans must also present their applications to the Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs to obtain a certification of eligibility before participation in any auction pursuant to section 407 of this subchapter. The Taxicab Commission shall, by regulation, establish criteria to insure that owners of medallions will in good faith, cause to be operated on the streets and highways of the Virgin Islands an automobile for hire in a manner acceptable to the public interest. Any potential buyer which the Taxicab Commission finds meets these criteria is an approved buyer under the meaning of this subchapter. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting an owner of a medallion from transferring his medallion between islands in the event that he changes his residence. (f) Transfer of a medallion between the islands shall only be permitted with the express approval of the Taxicab Commission. No medallion so transferred shall be offered for sale for a period of five years following the date of the transfer. The Taxicab Commission shall only approve the transfer of a medallion when it is determined that a case of extreme hardship exists. If the Taxicab Commission determines that the transfer of the medallion being sought is for the purpose of effectuating the sale of the medallion, the Taxicab Commission shall immediately and without further consideration deny the transfer request. No more than two medallions shall be transferred between the islands in any calendar year. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 77; amended Aug. 13, 1984, No. 4980, §§ 2- 4, Sess. L. 1984, p. 221; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 12, 2005, No. 6783, § 1, Sess. L. 2005, p. 296; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.; amended Oct. 19, 2015, No. 7803, § 3, Sess. L. 2015, p. 170.

(a) Any medallion valid under this subchapter may be encumbered with a lien or other such evidence of debenture. No such encumbrance shall attach to any medallion until the encumbrance is reported to the Taxicab Commission and recorded in the Registry of Medallions. No encumbrance duly attached to a medallion shall impair the right of the owner of the medallion to cause to be operated an automobile for hire on the island for which the medallion was issued, except when and if the medallion must be forfeited. No encumbrance which requires forfeiture of the medallion to the secured party upon default of the owner of the medallion shall be valid as to the forfeiture unless the secured party is determined by the Taxicab Commission to be an approved buyer. When the owner of an encumbered medallion subject to forfeiture to an unapproved buyer is in default on the encumbrance, the medallion shall be sold at auction by the Taxicab Commission to the highest bidder among approved buyers and the proceeds of the sale shall be paid the unapproved buyer. The auction shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by section 410 of this title. (b) A medallion may be encumbered by more than one lien or evidence of debenture but the total of all encumbrances outstanding against any one medallion may not exceed $25,000. Each creditor takes his encumbrance subject to prior existing encumbrances. The Taxicab Commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to assure that the sale of any medallion is subject to the settlement of any encumbrances duly attached. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 78; amended Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b) (2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147; Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7057, § 2, Sess. L. 2008, p. 447.

Whenever the Taxicab Commission is required to sell a medallion by auction, and in selling all medallions newly issued on or after January 1, 1979, the Taxicab Commission shall cause to be advertised on the island for which a medallion is issued, timely notice of the sale by auction. The notice shall contain information that only approved buyers may purchase medallions and the procedure by which a person may become an approved buyer. Medallions sold at auction shall be sold to the highest bidder. If the highest bidder is not an approved buyer of record at the time of the auction, the sale shall be honored if the Taxicab Commission finds that the highest bidder subsequently qualifies as an approved buyer. No person who has been denied status as an approved buyer may bid at an auction conducted under this section until such time as he is determined to be an approved buyer. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 79; amended Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b) (2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.

Upon the death of the owner of any medallion, the Taxicab Commission shall, at the option of the heirs, sell the medallion at auction to an approved buyer and pay the proceeds to the estate of the deceased, or transfer the registration of the medallion to an heir or group of heirs if the heir or group of heirs qualifies as an approved buyer, or reregister the medallion to any person, company, corporation, or partnership designated by the heirs which person, corporation, company, or partnership is an approved buyer. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 79; amended Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b) (2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.

Any owner of a medallion which is lost, destroyed, stolen, or involuntarily mutilated shall report such incident to the Taxicab Commission promptly after discovery of such happening. Such report shall be made by sworn declaration under penalty of perjury and the owner shall state the circumstances in which the medallion was lost, destroyed, stolen, or involuntarily mutilated as the case may be. All information known to the owner, such as the names of witnesses, which would be helpful in recovering the medallion if lost or stolen shall be stated in the declaration. The Taxicab Commission shall enter such incident in the Registry of Medallions and not allow any further transactions on the medallion for twenty days thereafter or until the medallion is recovered whichever is less. If, in the time allotted, the medallion is not recovered, the Taxicab Commission may issue a duplicate thereof. If the medallion is involuntarily mutilated the Taxicab Commission shall issue a duplicate promptly after presentation of the mutilated medallion. In each case in which a duplicate is issued, that fact shall be noted in the register of medallions and the owner shall be charged twenty-five dollars. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 80; amended Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(b) (2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 2(c), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.

(a) No person shall willfully mutilate, carve, engrave, destroy, or otherwise deface in such a manner as to render undistinguishable the number and island of issue on any medallion minted under this subchapter. (b) No person shall forge, imitate, reproduce or otherwise falsely copy so as to obtain a likeness generally indistinguishable from the original any medallion minted under this subchapter. (c) No person shall cause to be operated within the Virgin Islands an automobile for hire who is not the owner of a medallion validly obtained under this subchapter. (d) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six months or both. History: Added May 26, 1978, No. 4129, § 4, Sess. L. 1978, p. 80.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise clearly requires- "Car rental business" means the business or practice of renting or of otherwise providing any drive-yourself cars to other persons for value. "Drive-yourself car" means any passenger-carrying automobile or station wagon rented, or available for rent, to a person for value (whether (1) such value is in the nature of a specific rate or fee for the use of such car, or (2) such car is provided as incidental to the use, or as a part of the cost for the use, of any hotel, motel, guest-house, or any other tourist facilities), with the intent that such person, or his designee, will operate it on the highways of the Virgin Islands. "Licensee" means a person, as defined by section 41, Title 1 of this Code, lawfully engaged in the car rental business in the Virgin Islands. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 551.

No vehicle may be employed or operated as a drive-yourself car which- (1) either is a used (or "secondhand") motor vehicle held for sale by a dealer and on which a dealer's license plate is used, or is not otherwise registered and licensed as required by law. (2) is a motor vehicle which was sold new by either the manufacturer or the dealer more than six years previously. (3) has not been inspected as required by the provisions of chapter 41 of this title. (4) does not have insurance coverage as required by the provisions of sections 418 and 419 of this chapter. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 551, 552; amended Feb. 2, 1968, No. 2094, § 1a, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 3; May 29, 1998, No. 6232, § 3, Sess. L. 1998, p. 328; amended Dec. 14, 2012, No. 7458, § 23, p. 418, Sess. L. 2012, p. 418.

No licensee may rent a drive-yourself car to another person until he shall have examined such other person's driving license and verified that such other person is legally authorized to operate a motor vehicle in the Virgin Islands. Every licensee shall keep a register containing the number of the registration license and license plates of the rented vehicle, and the name, the local address, and the permanent address of the person renting the vehicle. Such register shall also contain the pertinent information, including the number and the issuance and expiration dates, the person's Virgin Islands driving license and the person's foreign driving license in any case where the person's Virgin Islands license is a temporary permit. Such register shall always be open to inspection by the Director of Motor Vehicles or his designee. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 552; amended May 19, 2006, No. 6839, § 50, Sess. L. 2006, p. 81.

(a) No drive-yourself car may be rented to any person unless liability insurance, set forth in a policy form approved as required by law, has been procured by the licensee, in respect to such car, and is in effect whereby the insurer agrees to pay, subject to the conditions of the policy form, on behalf of the driver (as hereinafter defined), as the beneficiary, all sums which such driver shall become legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury, sickness or disease, including death, or because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof (hereinafter referred to collectively as personal and property damages), caused by accident and arising out of the use or operation of the drive-yourself car by the driver. For the purposes of this section and section 419, "driver" shall mean any person, other than the licensee or his agent, using or operating the drive-yourself car with the permission, express or implied, of such licensee or his agent. (b) A licensee who (1) rents any automobile or station wagon to another person under any circumstances which render inapplicable or unenforceable the liability insurance required by this chapter, or (2) has failed to procure or does not have in effect, during the time when a drive-yourself car is rented to another person, the liability insurance with all of the provisions required by this chapter, shall, in addition to any other penalties provided for violation of this chapter, be liable and responsible for all personal and property damages, but not exceeding the minimum liability limits required by subsection (c) of this section, which are proximately caused by the negligent or reckless use or operation of any such vehicle by the person to whom rented or by any other person using or operating the vehicle with the express or implied permission of the licensee or his agent. (c) The limits of liability in the liability insurance required under this section shall be for not less than $10,000 for personal injuries to one person, one accident, $25,000 for personal injuries to two or more persons, one accident, and $10,000 for property damage, one accident; Provided, however, That said policy shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of this section in the event that one policy is procured to cover the minimum amounts of liability on any and of all drive-yourself cars to be rented, operated, or used in the Virgin Islands by any one licensee. (d) Any person injured or whose property is damaged or the personal representative of any person killed, under the provisions of this chapter, who initiates any action against the driver of a drive-yourself car shall within five days after filing such action; give notice of such action to the licensee from whom the vehicle was rented; however, failure to give notice shall not be a defense in any action. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 552; amended Feb. 2, 1968, No. 2094, § 1b, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 3, 4; Dec. 28, 2011, No. 7337, § 15, Sess. L. 2011, p. 334.

(a) The insurance policy required by section 418 of this chapter shall provide that, after judgment against a driver, any person injured or whose property is damaged or the personal representative of any person killed, under the circumstances covered by section 418 and this section, may enforce the judgment, but not exceeding the minimum liability limits required by subsection (c) of said section 418, directly against the insurer either under the provisions of chapter 43, Title 5 of this Code, or by direct suit upon the judgment. For the purposes of this section, the insurer shall be deemed a judgment debtor, along with the driver, under any judgment rendered against such driver, but not exceeding said minimum liability limits. Such policy shall also provide that suit under the provisions of this subsection may be brought and maintained thereon in the Virgin Islands. (b) Nothing contained in this section or section 418 shall affect whatever rights a licensee or his insurer may have to proceed, by subrogation or otherwise, against any person whose negligent or reckless use or operation of a drive-yourself car was the proximate cause of personal or property damage. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to affect the liability of (1) a licensee for his own conduct or the conduct of his agent, (2) an agent for his own conduct, or (3) the driver for his own conduct. (c) If a rental vehicle driver has any other valid and collectible liability insurance in addition to the mandatory liability insurance policy for rental vehicles required by section 418(c) of this chapter, the minimum mandatory liability insurance policy for rental vehicles shall be secondary to the other insurance. The duty of the minimum mandatory liability insurance policy to respond to a suit or claim arises only when any other applicable insurance coverage does not meet the minimum mandatory liability insurance limits prescribed by title 20, section 418(c). If a rental vehicle driver pays for such additional liability insurance, the application of that policy, including whether it is primary or secondary, will be determined by the rental contract. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 553; amended Feb. 2, 1968, No. 2094, § 1c, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 4, 5; amended July 19, 2013, No. 7488, § 1, Sess. L. 2013, p. 17.

The Director of Motor Vehicles shall maintain a special register of all drive-yourself cars in which he shall record the island, the date, and other pertinent information, of the registration and termination of or change in the registration of every drive-yourself car. Each licensee shall submit all pertinent information required by the Director of Motor Vehicles, prior to the employment of any such vehicle in the car rental business. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 553; amended May 19, 2006, No. 6839, § 50, Sess. L. 2006, p. 81.

No licensee may use any public parking area, whether on a street or in a public parking lot, for the parking of drive-yourself cars; provided that the Director of Motor Vehicles is authorized to designate a limited number of parking spaces at a reasonable distance from the licensee's place of business for the licensee's use. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 553, 554; amended May 19, 2006, No. 6839, § 50, Sess. L. 2006, p. 81.

(a) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall establish maximum numerical limitations for each island on registration licenses and license plates (referred to as "licenses" in the remainder of this section) for drive- yourself cars (which phrase, as used in subsections (a) through (f) of this section, shall not include drive- yourself cars rented or exclusively available for rent to another person for a period in excess of one hundred and eighty (180) days). The Director of Motor Vehicles shall establish the initial numerical limitations under this section by April 15, 1968. Thereafter, the limitation for each island shall be reviewed and, if determined necessary, amended at least once each year, prior to April 15, beginning with 1969. The original numerical limitations and any annual review or amendment shall be preceded by public notice and hearings, and any such numerical limitations or any amendments thereto (referred to as "limitations" in the remainder of the section) shall be effective upon approval by the Governor. Every limitation under this section shall be based upon the determination by the Director of Motor Vehicles that such limitation is necessary to protect the public safety and welfare. In making the determination, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall consult with such departments and agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands as he deems necessary, and he shall then consider such factors as traffic safety, traffic flow, and the numerical needs or demand for drive-yourself cars on the respective islands, and all such other factors as he may deem pertinent to the establishment of limitations hereunder. (b) Each licensee is entitled to the number of licenses to which he was entitled at the time immediately preceding the effective date of the then current limitation. The number of licenses to which each licensee is entitled may be increased as provided in subsection (c) of this section, or may be decreased by forfeiture as provided in subsections (e) and (f) of this section. (c) In addition to the number of licenses to which each licensee is entitled, each such licensee shall become entitled to additional new licenses as they may become available from time to time. Additional licenses may become available (1) by the termination of a licensee's business license, for valid cause, (2) by a licensee's forfeiture of the right to a license because of his failure to utilize a license as required by law, or (3) by a change in a limitation established by the Director of Motor Vehicles. When additional licenses become available, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall determine the number of such licenses available for distribution, and shall distribute such licenses consecutively in accordance with the list of priority established by subsection (d) of this section. (d) In order to establish a list of priority of distribution of new licenses under the provisions of this section, the Director of Motor Vehicles, immediately prior to April 15, 1968, shall cast lots on each island among persons who held valid car rental business licenses, under the provisions of chapter 9, Title 27 of this Code, on the respective islands on the effective date of this Act, and whose licenses are valid and effective at the time of the casting of lots. Written notice of the time when and the place at which the lots will be cast shall be served by the Director of Motor Vehicles to each car rental business at least three days before the casting of lots. Any person who obtains a car rental business license after the effective date of this Act shall be assigned to a position on the list of priority according to the time when he notifies the Director of Motor Vehicles that he has obtained a valid license. The Director of Motor Vehicles shall keep the list current, and shall delete the name of any person whose license to engage in the car rental business has terminated, for valid cause. He may not assign to the list the name of any person (1) whose name either already appears, or is affiliated with any partnership or corporation whose name already appears, or (2) who the Director of Motor Vehicles determines has obtained a business license in order to otherwise circumvent the purpose and intent of this subsection. (e) At the time the Director of Motor Vehicles distributes the available licenses pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, he shall designate reasonable dates, based upon the needs and practices of the car rental industry as established at the public hearings required by subsection (a) of this section, by which dates either (1) every vehicle which is to utilize one of the new licenses must be validly registered, or (2) proof, satisfactory to the Director of Motor Vehicles, that a bona fide order has been placed for the purchase of such a vehicle is presented to the Director of Motor Vehicles. The date specified for registration may not be more than six months after the effective date of the distribution, and the date specified for the submission of proof of a bona fide order may not be more than three months after the date of such distribution. If the vehicle is not registered or if satisfactory proof of a bona fide order is not submitted within the respective time limitations, then the licensee's right to such new license shall be forfeited and the corresponding license shall be further distributed in accordance with the list of priority. (f) Every licensee shall immediately notify the Director of Motor Vehicles after the transfer, by sale or otherwise, of a validly registered and licensed drive-yourself car. After the initial limitation has been established, such licensee may obtain a replacement license for a new drive-yourself car, which is intended to replace a drive-yourself car validly registered and licensed by such licensee; provided that- (1) such licensee must return to the Director of Motor Vehicles the license plates from the car to be replaced and the Director of Motor Vehicles shall cancel the registration of the replaced car before he may register the new car; (2) if a licensee does not utilize a replacement license available under this section, either by validly registering the new drive-yourself car within six months after the transfer of the car to be replaced or by submitting to the Director of Motor Vehicles proof, satisfactory to the Director of Motor Vehicles, that a bona fide order has been placed for the purchase of a replacement car within three months after such transfer, his right to such new license shall be forfeited, and the license shall be distributed in accordance with the list of priority. (g) A person may transfer, by sale or otherwise, his car rental business, or any part thereof, together with all or any part of the number of licenses to which he is entitled under the then current limitation; except that this subsection does not authorize or entitle a person to transfer, by sale or otherwise, a car rental business license in contravention of the provisions of the last sentence of subsection (d), section 301, Title 27 of this Code. (h) From January 3, 1968, each registration license for each drive-yourself car shall designate (1) whether the car is for rent for a period of on hundred and eighty (180) days or less, or for a period in excess of one hundred and eighty (180) days, and (2) the island for which it is issued. The registration license and corresponding license plates shall be valid for rent only for the period designated, and only on the island designated and may not be transferred to or used on any other island or any other motor vehicle, except that the Director of Motor Vehicles may assign a license plate number, previously used on a drive-yourself car, which has been replaced, to a motor vehicle which is being registered as a new drive-yourself car. All drive yourself cars shall be operated exclusively on the island for which the registration license and corresponding license plate(s) were issued and shall not be transported for use on any other island. (i) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (h) of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand (1,000) dollars for each vehicle transported, or revocation of their business license for a period of not less than six (6) months or both. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 554; amended Feb. 2, 1968, No. 2094, § 1d-f, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 5; Aug. 30, 1995, No. 6077, §§ 2(A), (B), Sess. L. 1995, p. 201; May 19, 2006, No. 6839, § 50, Sess. L. 2006, p. 81.

(a) The provisions of this chapter shall be administered by the Director of Motor Vehicles. The Director of Motor Vehicles is authorized to issue and amend such rules and regulations, consistent with the provisions of this title, as he may deem necessary or appropriate in implementation of the same, which rules and regulations, and amendments thereto, upon approval by the Governor, shall have the force and effect of law. Immediately after approval by the Governor, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall publish every rule and regulation, and every amendment thereto, and shall submit copies thereof to each licensee. (b) Any person who rents a drive-yourself car to another person without the required registration license and license plates or who violates any other provisions of this chapter, or of any rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, for each violation shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or revocation of the licensee's business license, or both. (c) Any person aggrieved by a decision or determination or any other act or omission of the Director of Motor Vehicles in his administration of this section may file an appeal within thirty (30) days in the Superior Court in the Judicial Division wherein the aggrieved party resides. History: Added Jan. 3, 1968, No. 2092, § 1, Sess. L. 1967, p. 557; amended Feb. 2, 1968, No. 2094, § 1g, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. I, p. 5; Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, § 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197; May 19, 2006, No. 6839, § 50, Sess. L. 2006, p. 81.

(a) Every licensee shall notify operators of the provisions of section 466 of this title by attaching a sign to the dashboard of each drive-yourself car which shall read: "VIRGIN ISLANDS LAW REQUIRES SAFETY BELTS TO BE WORN BY ALL PERSONS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE, AND SAFETY SEATS TO BE USED BY ALL PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE". (b) Every licensee shall provide any operator with a passenger under five years of age with a specially designed seat which meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. 571.243 . An additional rental and deposit may be required for the safety seat. In the case of a child aged three through five, seat belts may be substituted but the child must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle. (c) (1) Every licensee shall notify operators that in the Virgin Islands they are required to drive on the left by attaching a sign to the dashboard of each drive-yourself car which must read: "KEEP LEFT: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS REQUIRES ALL MOVING VEHICLES TO DRIVE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ROADWAYS." (2) In addition to the dashboard signage, every licensee shall provide written public information materials regarding driving on the left side of roadways. History: Added Apr. 2, 1991, No. 5699, § 1(a), Sess. L. 1991, p. 4; amended Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8266, § 2, Sess. L. 2019, p. 172.

(a) Every person who rents a drive-yourself car in the Virgin Islands shall pay a $5.00-per day surcharge for each rental. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the $5.00-per day surcharge shall not be adjusted for a period of five years after enactment. (b) The licensee shall indicate the amount of the surcharge as a separate item on the statement or charges given to the person who rents a drive-yourself car. The licensee shall be responsible for making the reports and payments at such intervals as the Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue requires. (c) Chapter, sections 45 (penalty for failure to report or pay taxes; arbitrary assessment by the Director; waiver of penalties), 48 (taxpayers' records) and 53(a) (penalties) of this title shall apply to the regulation of the motor vehicle rental surcharge and tax under this chapter. (d) The Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue shall cover $2.00 of the amounts collected under this section into the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund established under Title 33, section 3093, Virgin Islands Code, $1.25 into the General Fund of the Treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands and $1.75 of the amounts collected to the Bureau of School Construction, Maintenance and Capital Fund established under Title 33 Virgin Islands Code, section 3092a. (e) [Deleted.] (f) [Deleted.] (g) [Deleted.] (h) [Deleted.] (i) The Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue shall maintain a detailed accounting record of all monies collected from the motor vehicle rental surcharge and all monies disbursed to the Department of Finance. (j) Until completion of the above-mentioned capital projects, the Commissioner of the Department of Finance shall maintain a detailed accounting record of all monies received from the Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue from the motor vehicle rental surcharge and a detailed accounting record of all monies disbursed to the Public Finance Authority on behalf of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works from the motor vehicle rental surcharge. (k) Until completion of all of the above-mentioned capital projects, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works shall maintain a detailed accounting record of all monies disbursed on the Department's behalf by the Commissioner of the Department of Finance from the motor vehicle rental surcharge and a detailed accounting record of all monies disbursed to the Executive Director of the Public Finance Authority for the above-mentioned capital projects. (l) Until and at such time as the above-mentioned capital projects are completed, the Executive Director of the Public Finance Authority shall maintain a detailed accounting record of all monies received from the Department of Finance on behalf of the Department of Public Works for the above-mentioned capital projects. The Executive Director of the Public Finance Authority shall also maintain a detailed accounting record of all capital improvement projects undertaken in the Territory. (m) Until all of the above-mentioned capital projects are completed, the Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Commissioner of the Department of Finance, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and the Executive Director of the Public Finance Authority shall submit a copy of the accounting records and detailed reports described herein to the Legislature on a semi-annual basis. History: Added Dec. 23, 2003, No. 6635, § 8, Sess. L. 2003, p. 189; amended Jan. 1, 2012, No. 7268, § 1(1.) (a)-(d), Sess. L. 2011, pp. 126-128; amended Apr. 25, 2023, No. 8717, § 4, Sess. L. 2023, p. 39; amended Oct. 10, 2024, No. 8878, § 1(a)-(b), Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

History: Repealed. June 7, 1957, No. 199, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1958, Sess. L. 1957, p. 100. Cite as: 20 V.I.C. § 431, 432

(a) The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall establish and regulate fees to be levied and collected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The Director shall establish a Rider Training Course with a fee of $250 for Novice Riders, $50 for Novice Riders if it is determined by the Bureau that more training is needed, and $75 for Experienced Riders. (b) Miscellaneous fees in connection with automobiles for hire to be collected by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission: Annual business license $100.00 Biannual vehicle inspection $15.00 Replacement plates and medallions $25.00 Certificate of entitlement to medallion (to be posted in vehicle) $7.00 Lease agreements $25.00 Title search/lien recording $5.00 Conduct of medallion sales $25.00 (c) The Commissioner of Finance shall cover all payments made pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section as follows: (1) Payments made in connection with the annual registration fee for each registered motorcycle, the application fee for a motorcycle learners permit and the fee for each original or renewal motorcycle driver's license or endorsement shall be covered into the Motorcycle Safety Education Program Fund established pursuant to title 33, title 33111, Virgin Islands Code; and (2) all other payments shall be covered into the Peace Officer Training Fund established pursuant to title 33, chapter 111, Virgin Islands Code. (d) The Director of Motor Vehicles may, by regulation, increase the fee for dealer temporary plates as prescribed in subsection (a) to an amount not to exceed $25. History: Amended June 7, 1957, No. 199, § 1, Sess. L. 1957, p. 98; June 7, 1960, No. 583, § 5, Sess. L. 1960, p. 83; June 14, 1960, No. 617, § 1, 2, Sess. L. 1960, p. 138; June 1, 1967, No. 1990, § 5, Sess. L. 1967, p. 329; July 18, 1968, No. 2307, § 1, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 267; Mar. 9, 1971, No. 2952, §§ 6, 7, Sess. L. 1971, p. 19; July 13, 1973, No. 3465, § 6, Sess. L. 1973, p. 218; Nov. 11, 1974, No. 3634, Sess. L. 1974, p. 250; Nov. 7, 1983, No. 4877, § 312(a), Sess. L. 1983, p. 244; Dec. 27, 1983, No. 4882, § 6, Sess. L. 1983, p. 259; June 11, 1986, No. 5169, § 1(d), Sess. L. 1986, p. 77; June 18, 1986, No. 5172, § 3(a), Sess. L. 1986, p. 96; Aug. 28, 1987, No. 5275, § 6, Sess. L. 1987, p. 123; June 18, 1993, No. 5870, § 3, Sess. L. 1993, p. 105; Jan. 13, 1994, No. 5948, § 100 (C), Sess. L. 1993, p. 334; July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 4(a), Sess. L. 1994, p. 123; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(c)(1), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Feb. 1, 2001, No. 6391, § 2(g)(3), Sess. L. 2000, p. 447; Oct. 23, 2006, No. 6898, § 3, Sess. L. 2006, p. 298; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 3(a), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147; July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 2(a), (b), Sess. L. 2009, pp. 121, 122; amended Sept. 11, 2012, No. 7394, § 1(b)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2012, p. 237-238.

Annual license fees for registration of motor vehicles as provided in section 433 of this title shall cover the twelve month period of validity of license plates and revalidation stickers as provided by section 334, subsection (a) of this title. History: June 7, 1957, No. 199, § 2, Sess. L. 1957, p. 100; amended Oct. 11, 1977, No. 4043, § 1(2), Sess. L. 1977, p. 239.

(a) Except as indicated in section 433, subsection (b) of this chapter and Title 33, chapter 111, section 3084, Virgin Islands Code, all fees levied pursuant to this chapter shall be collected by the Director of Motor Vehicles and covered into the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands. (b) Fees levied pursuant to section 433, subsection (b) of this chapter, shall be collected by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission and shall be covered into the Taxi License Fund established under Title 33, section 3067, Virgin Islands Code. History: June 7, 1957, No. 199, § 3, Sess. L. 1957, p. 100; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 11, 1986, No. 5169, § 1(e), Sess. L. 1986, p. 77; June 18, 1986, No. 5172, § 3(b), Sess. L. 1986, p. 97; Jan. 13, 1994, No. 5948, § 100(E), Sess. L. 1993, p. 334; Dec. 2, 1999, No. 6333, § 10(c)(2), Sess. L. 1999, p. 185; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; Oct. 10, 2007, No. 6968, § 3(b), Sess. L. 2007, p. 147.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the certificate of title fee, the registration license fee and the operator's private license fee as provided in section 433 of this title shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%) for senior citizens and persons who are handicapped. For the purposes of this section, "senior citizens" are defined to be persons sixty years of age or older, as verified by a Senior Citizen I.D. Card issued by the Department of Human Services, or a Real ID card issued in compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005, 49 U.S.C. §30301 - Notes, who are domiciliaries of the Virgin Islands for not less than one year. For the purposes of this section, "a person who is handicapped" is defined to be a person with a physical or mental disability who has complied with the requirements of section 375 of this title by furnishing proof that such person is physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle. (b) (1) The Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles may not collect a fee from a disabled veteran for the issuance of a handicapped window decal required to be placed in the registered vehicle of the disabled veteran, or require the disabled veteran who has two license plates bearing disabled veterans decals issued by the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs to display any handicapped window decals issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the Virgin Islands Police Department. (2) For purposes of this subsection, "disabled veteran" means a person who has been designated as such by federal law as evidenced by the presentation of a United States Department of Veterans Affairs Benefit Summary Letter issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. The Benefit Summary Letter must identify the veteran as "permanently disabled" or "totally and permanently disabled". Injuries must be service-related and suffered while serving in the United States Armed Forces or any of its reserve components. History: Added Feb. 1, 1985, No. 5037, § 3, Sess. L. 1984, p. 460; amended July 21, 1994, No. 5997, § 4(b), Sess. L. 1994, p. 123; May 9, 2011, No. 7258, § 1(1), (2), Sess. L. 2011, pp. 69, 70; amended June 21, 2017, No. 7988, § 2, Sess. L. 2017, p. 12; amended Aug. 1, 2023, No. 8734, § 1(a), (b), Sess. L. 2023, p. 58.

(a) Before issuing a registration license to the owner of any motor vehicle, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall see that it is in satisfactory condition to insure safety on the public highways, and that its equipment is in full compliance with the requirements of this title. At any time that it is deemed necessary, the Director may examine and inspect any motor vehicle to insure safety on the public highways, and may order the owner or operator to make necessary repairs. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles in conjunction with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall develop and implement a vehicle emissions inspection program. (b) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall prohibit the operation of all motor vehicles considered unsafe, and shall order the owners to remove motor vehicles in unserviceable condition which have been left on the public highways for over 10 days in this condition. (c) Whenever requested by the Director of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Works shall inspect or remove motor vehicles. (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) the Director of Motor Vehicles shall issue a registration license to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was born in the Virgin Islands or inducted from the Virgin Islands if request is made for such registration license accompanied by a statement or certificate from his base or post commander showing that the vehicle for which a registration license is sought is in a satisfactory condition to insure safety on the public highways of the state, territory or commonwealth in which the base or post of the Armed Forces is located. The Director of Motor Vehicles shall issue a registration license without examination and inspection for a motor vehicle not more than three years old. (e) In addition to the authority to inspect motor vehicles established in subsection (a) of this section, the Director of Motor Vehicles may certify designated auto repair business on each island and authorize such auto repair businesses to serve as inspection stations for the purpose of inspecting motor vehicles prior to the vehicles' registration. The certified auto repair businesses shall issue Certificates of Inspection to the owners of vehicles that meet the safety and equipment requirements of this title. In order to protect against fraud, the Director is authorized to require bonds of each auto repair business designated to issue Certificates of Inspection. (1) An owner of a vehicle inspected at a certified auto repair business, may hand deliver or mail the Certificate of Inspection to the Director of Motor Vehicles. (2) Upon review of the application for registration license renewals, Certificate of Inspection, vehicle registration license, and the payment of fees pursuant to section 433 of this chapter, the Director of Motor Vehicles may, provided that all liens on the vehicles being registered are paid, issue a renewal registration license to an owner of a motor vehicle who registers by mail. (3) The Director of Motor Vehicles is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section. (f) The Director of Motor Vehicles is authorized to accept certified personal and business checks as a means of payment for all transactions relating to the registration and licensing of all motor vehicles and operators of motor vehicles in the Virgin Islands. An administrative penalty of $50.00 per incident of a returned check for insufficient funds shall be assessed. History: Amended Mar. 6, 1963, No. 952; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 18, 1993, No. 5870, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1993, pp. 104, 105; July 13, 1993, No. 5873, § 6, Sess. L. 1993, p. 110; Aug. 17, 1993, No. 5882, § 3, Sess. L. 1993, p. 200; Aug. 26, 1994, No. 6008, § 1, Sess. L. 1994, p. 161; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; amended July 11, 2014, No. 7619, § 1, Sess. L. 2014, p. 124.

Every motor vehicle using the public highways shall be equipped with brakes in good working order, capable of stopping the vehicle within 20 feet when it is traveling 15 miles an hour, and capable of controlling the vehicle at all times when it is in use.

(a) Every automobile operated within the time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise shall display at least two white lights and every motorcycle one white light clearly visible at least 250 feet in front of such vehicle. The use of dazzling lights in well-lighted streets or public highways is prohibited; provided, that any person operating a vehicle on which one of the lights has ceased to function may proceed to operate the car only for such time thereafter as is necessary to take the vehicle to his home or a place of repair. In no event shall any vehicle proceed with only the parking lights illuminated. Whenever any person operating any vehicle upon a public road shall meet a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction within a distance of 250 feet, such operator shall lower the headlight beam. Whenever any person operating any vehicle upon a public highway or road shall overtake or approach, on a straight section of roadway, a vehicle traveling in the same direction within a distance of 200 feet, such operator shall also lower the headlight beam. Every motor vehicle shall have also a red light visible in the reverse direction. The rear number plate shall also be so lighted as to be visible at night. (b) Spot lights shall not be used on moving vehicles for any other purpose than locating the left side of the road not more than 30 feet immediately ahead of the motor vehicle to which attached. (c) Trucks drawing a trailer shall have front lights, and a rear light on the rear of the trailer, which shall clearly show its number. Trucks drawing two trailers shall have front and rear lights, and in addition thereto a lighted lantern on the last trailer. (d) All trucks and trailers shall have two reflectors not less than three inches in diameter attached to the right side of the vehicle, a green one in the front and a red one in the rear placed as high as the structure of the vehicle will permit. History: Amended June 14, 1960, No. 618, Sess. L. 1960, p. 138.

(a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn or other instrument capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of its approach. No warning device on a private motor vehicle except those private vehicles which may be designated by the Director of Motor Vehicles for emergency purposes as authorized by section 495a(c) of this title shall be a siren or simulate the sound of a siren. Warning devices shall be used to warn traffic, and they shall not be sounded between midnight and daybreak except in case of emergency. (b) Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler, and the use of a muffler cut-out, the unnecessary racing of engines, the making of noise disturbance as defined in title 19 V.I.C. § 2041(h) or permitting the escape of an amount of smoke is prohibited. History: Amended Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4639, § 1, Sess. L. 1981, p. 242; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247; amended Jan. 19, 2023, No. 8682, § 4, Sess. L. 2022, p. 382.

(a) The term "motorcycle", as used in this section, means every motor vehicle, including motor scooters and mopeds, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding tractors. (b) Every motorcycle, operated or driven upon the public highways, shall be equipped with adequate brakes in good working order and sufficient to control such motorcycle at all times, when in use, and a suitable and adequate bell, horn, or other device, for signalling, and shall, during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, display one lighted lamp in front and one on the rear, or when such motorcycle is operated with a passenger or other truck attached to the side or front, two such lamps on the front and on the rear; and every motorcycle shall also be equipped with a red light visible from the rear. Every motorcycle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and excessive fumes or smoke, and no person may use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. The unnecessary racing of engines, and the making of unreasonable and unnecessary noise is strictly prohibited. (c) No person may operate a motorcycle, on which the handle bars are more than fifteen inches higher than the seat or saddle for the operator. (d) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator may not carry any other person nor may any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which case a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator. (e) After July 1, 1968, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears a protective helmet, meeting specifications established by the Commissioner. Such helmet must be equipped with either a neck or a chin strap, and must be secured during operation of the motorcycle. (f) The Commissioner is hereby authorized to adopt and amend regulations with respect to uses of and specifications required for brakes, lights, signalling devices, mufflers and protective helmets. Such regulations shall become effective as law upon approval by the Governor. History: Added June 21, 1968, No. 2240, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 56; amended Sept. 26, 1980, No. 4475, § 3, Sess. L. 1980, p. 151.

(a) As used in this section the term "pocket bike" means a non-highway vehicle that resembles a mini- motorcycle, weighing between 39 and 180 lbs. It is a self-propelled vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor or internal combustion engine having a piston displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters, is designed to propel itself with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and does not meet the requirements for highway or roadway use under one or more of the Federal Motor Safety Act Standards. The term does not include: (i) a moped, motor scooter or motorcycle under 465 of this title; (ii) an electric bicycle or motor-driven cycle; (iii) a motorized mobility device, operated by a person with a disability; (iv) an electric personal assistive mobility device operated by a person with a disability. (b) No pocket bike as defined in subsection (a) of this title shall be operated upon the public streets, highways, sidewalks, recreational parks or trails, bicycle lanes and parking lots. (c) A manufacturer or retailer who sells a pocket bike must disclose to the purchaser in writing that it is illegal to operate such bike upon the public highways. The disclosure must (a) be printed in not less than 14-point bold type separately on a single sheet of paper and (b) must include the following statement: "The vehicle you have purchased is defined by Virgin Islands Law as a non-highway vehicle. It is unlawful to operate such vehicle upon the public streets, highways, sidewalks, recreational parks or trails, bicycle lanes and parking lots. A violation of this regulation may result in your prosecution and impoundment of the vehicle." History: Added Dec. 2, 2005, No. 6798, § 1, Sess. L. 2005, pp. 446, 447.

(1) Any person operating a pocket bike upon the public streets, highways, sidewalks, recreational parks or trails, bicycle lanes and parking lots shall be issued a ticket and fined not less than one hundred dollars or no more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both. (2) The officer issuing the ticket may remove and impound the bike. The violator shall be responsible for all towing and storage charges related to the impoundment. (3) The Commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation in consultation with the Commissioner of Police shall designate appropriate areas and times where pocket bikes may be operated. History: Added Dec. 2, 2005, No. 6798, § 2, Sess. L. 2005, p. 447.

Restraints (a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Booster Seat" means a seat that raises children up so that the vehicles seat belt system fits the child correctly in that the shoulder belt rests across the child's chest and the lap belt crosses the pelvic and hip area, never across the abdomen. (2) "Center Rear" means the center of the back seats in a motor vehicle. (3) "Child Restraint System" means any device that meets the standards of the United States Department of Transportation designed to restrain, seat or position children, which also includes a booster seat. (4) "Motor Vehicle" includes all motor vehicles as defined by section 101 of this title, except for those motor vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1978, buses, authorized emergency vehicles and emergency trucks with a maximum gross weight of 18,000 pounds or more. (5) "Outboard Rear" means left and right positions in all back seats of a motor vehicle. (b) No person may operate a motor vehicle unless the operator and any passenger in the front seat of the vehicle are restrained by a lap and shoulder restraint where provided by the vehicle manufacturer which crosses over the hip and pelvis and any passengers age fourteen and older seated in the outboard rear and center rear seats are restrained by a lap restraint. (c) No person may operate a motor vehicle while transporting a child under the age of 13, without providing for the protection of the child by properly securing the child in an appropriate child-restraint system or booster seat as follows: (1) Passengers up to one year of age or at least 20 lbs. must be rear facing and placed in the outboard rear or center rear position of the motor vehicle; (2) Passengers one to five years of age and at least 40 lbs. shall use a child restraint system that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. 571.243 ; (3) Booster Seats must be used with children who have outgrown a forward-facing child car seat based on manufacturers' specifications, or for children between 40-80 lbs. less than 8 years of age and less than 4 ft. 9 in. tall; (4) Children 13 and under shall always ride in the rear seat of vehicles equipped with air bags; and (5) Except when safety seats must be worn, seat belts must be worn in both outboard, rear positions and center rear of vehicles. (d) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $75 and not more than $500. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $400. Any person convicted of three or more violations within a three-year period shall be fined not less than $200 and not more than $500 and may have his driving privileges suspended for a period not to exceed one year. (e) The provisions of subsection (a) do not apply to an operator or passenger with a physically disabling condition whose physical disability would prevent appropriate restraint by safety belt or safety seat, if the condition is certified by a physician who states the nature of the handicap, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate. History: Added Dec. 2, 2005, No. 6798, § 2, Sess. L. 2005, p. 447.

(a) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall cause to be inspected, not less than once every six months, every school bus operating within the Virgin Islands. Such inspection shall insure that each school bus vehicle is in compliance with: (1) all safety provisions of this chapter; (2) all safety provisions recommended by the Commissioner of Education and the Director of Motor Vehicles and approved by the Governor; and (3) all safety provisions recommended by federal law, rule, or regulation and required to be met as a condition of federal funding of any education or transportation program. (b) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall affix to each vehicle inspected pursuant to the provisions of this section and found by the Director to be in compliance and safe to operate, a certificate of inspection. Such certificate shall have clearly visible thereon an expiration date of not more than six months from the most recent day such vehicle was inspected. A valid certificate of inspection shall be required before any school bus vehicle is used to transport any passengers. A valid certificate of inspection shall be affixed to and clearly visible from the interior and exterior of each school bus vehicle operated in the Virgin Islands. (c) The Director of Motor Vehicles is authorized to do all things reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. History: Added Oct. 8, 1992, No. 5816, § 401, Sess. L. 1992, p. 149; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) As used in this section, "low-speed" vehicle, also known as a neighborhood electric or solar powered vehicle, is a four-wheeled vehicle, whose attainable speed in one mile is 20 miles per hour, but not more than 25 miles per hour. (b) The operation of a low-speed vehicle on any road as defined in § 301 of title 20, is authorized with the following restrictions: (1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This paragraph is not intended to prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. (2) A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with head lamps, stops lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, wind shield wipers, speedometer, breaking for each wheel, seat belts and vehicle identification numbers in compliance with established Federal Safety Standards. (3) A low-speed vehicle must be registered, have license plates and be insured in accordance with Virgin Islands laws. (4) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle must have in his possession a valid driver's license. (c) The Police Department, through its rules and regulations may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction, if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety. (d) The Commissioner of the Police Department may prohibit the operation of low speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction, if he determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety. History: Added Mar. 5, 2005, No. 6730, § 10, Sess. L. 2005, pp. 72, 73.

Wherever used in this chapter, the following terms shall, except as otherwise clearly indicated in the context, have the following meanings: (a) "Bureau" means the Traffic Bureau of the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). (b) "Commander" means the Commander of the district division of Traffic Bureau. (c) "Territory" means the Territory of the Virgin Islands. (d) "Committee" means the Traffic Advisory and Safety Committee. (e) "Government agencies" means all departments, authorities, commissions, offices and boards of the Government of the Virgin Islands. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(a), Sess. L. 1983, p. 70; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

(a) In line with present requirements and with a view to solving the traffic problem, the Police Commissioner is hereby directed and authorized to establish and maintain a Traffic Bureau in the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). The Bureau shall be composed of two divisions, one for the district of St. Croix and one for the district of St. Thomas-St. John. The Bureau shall be under the direction of the Chief of Police for the respective districts and shall be created from trained personnel within the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). (b) Each division of the Bureau shall be headed by a Commander. To the maximum extent possible, the Commanders of each division shall coordinate the activities of their respective districts to insure uniformity in policies and procedures and to avoid unnecessary duplication of activities and programs in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1983, p. 70; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

History: Repealed. June 24, 1987, No. 5265, § 1001 (d), Sess. L. 1987, p. 88.

The Commander shall be appointed pursuant to law and shall develop, outline and perform the functions and duties herein prescribed. The Commander must be qualified by training and/or experience for the task of directing traffic matters and enforcing traffic laws. The Commander shall be furnished with adequate offices, materials, equipment, and trained personnel. The personnel necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall be assigned to the Traffic Bureau. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(c), Sess. L. 1983, p. 70.

For the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter the Bureau shall have the following duties and prerogatives to- (a) administer, supervise and enforce regulations and laws covering the operation and control of motor vehicles, and direct and control traffic and supervise and enforce the laws relating thereto; (b) outline, develop and carry out programs, campaigns and activities for the purpose of preventing and reducing traffic accidents, and facilitating traffic control on the streets and roads of the Territory; (c) make recommendations to, and advise with, the various government agencies with respect to safety campaigns, so that they may be carried throughout the Territory; (d) organize and carry out, in cooperation with other governmental agencies, all campaigns, services, programs and activities aimed at assisting the insular officials of the Government of the Virgin Islands in controlling traffic and preventing accidents; (e) prepare informational and educational material for the promotion of safety with regard to traffic, and disseminate such material through all possible media; (f) serve as information and publicity center of all material concerning traffic control and accident prevention; (g) cooperate with all public private entities concerned with traffic problems; (h) consider and decide on the merits or flaws of measures and suggestions affecting traffic along the streets and roads of the Territory, and recommend to the Police Commissioner such measures as will best serve to control, reduce and prevent traffic accidents; (i) consider and decide on the merits or flaws or measures and suggestions affecting the laws concerning vehicles, chauffeurs and drivers, and germane laws or regulations having direct or indirect relationship with traffic, and make pertinent recommendations to the Police Commissioner; (j) to recommend to the Police Commissioner that he adopt, promulgate, amend, either in whole or in part, the rules and regulations required for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter; (k) render annually to the Police Commissioner a written report on the activities and recommendations of the Bureau. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(d)-(f), Sess. L. 1983, p. 71; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

The Bureau is hereby conferred all reasonable and necessary powers for the carrying out of the purposes of this chapter. The Bureau is hereby further authorized to recommend, study and examine traffic-control and accident-prevention measures, heretofore or hereafter established by government agencies. The Bureau may, likewise, call meetings of the various officials and employees of government agencies having charge of matters related to traffic. The Bureau may, likewise, request information and require special survey and information from the various government agencies with respect to traffic control and accident prevention on the streets and roads of the Territory. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(f), (h), Sess. L. 1983, p. 71.

The heads of all government departments, divisions and agencies shall cooperate with the Bureau and furnish the Bureau complete information regarding activities and programs of their various dependencies which are directly or indirectly related with traffic-control and accident-prevention problems. At the request of the Police Commissioner and with the previous approval of the Governor, the heads of government departments, authorities and agencies shall temporarily assign to the Bureau such technicians and employees as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this chapter. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended May 27, 1983, No. 4819, § 1(f), (h), Sess. L. 1983, p. 71; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

The Police Commissioner may, with the previous approval of the Governor, accept, in behalf of the Territory, gifts of property and money to help carry out the purposes specified in this chapter. Funds so received shall be kept under the custody of the Commissioner of Finance to be expended in accordance with the terms of the gift. History: Added June 14, 1961, No. 745, Sess. L. 1961, p. 90; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

(a) The Bureau shall carry out a highway safety program in accordance with the Federal Highway Safety Act of 1973 and all other applicable highway safety laws. The Bureau shall have all the powers and duties of the Office of Highway Safety established by Executive Order No. 188-1974, as amended. (b) The Bureau is designated as the state agency for receipt of all federal highway safety funds. The Governor shall conform the Bureau, as may be necessary, to meet the requirements for federal funding. History: Added June 24, 1987, No. 5265, § 1001(e), Sess. L. 1987, p. 88.

(a) In addition to the provisions of this chapter, operators of motor vehicles shall observe the general traffic regulations contained in the Police Regulations set out in Title 23, and such traffic and parking regulations as may from time to time be published by the Police Commissioner. (b) Motor vehicles shall stop or proceed immediately when so ordered by members of the police force. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; May 14, 1986, No. 5158, § 8(a) (1), Sess. L. 1986, p. 50.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner over and along the public highways of this Territory. For the purpose of this section to "operate in a reckless manner" means the operation of a vehicle upon the public highways of this Territory in such a manner as to indicate either a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property. History: Amended Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 1, Sess. L. 1964, p. 310.

Controlled Substances; Violations; Penalties (a) (1) It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance included in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of section 595, chapter 29, Title 19, Title 19, Virgin Islands Codehe combined influence of an intoxicating liquor and such a controlled substance, to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of, any motor vehicle within the Territory. (2) It is unlawful for any person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of, any motor vehicle within the Territory. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), it is unlawful for any person who has 0.04 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his blood to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of, a commercial motor vehicle. (b) (1) Any person convicted of a first violation of subsection (a) hereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than $500, or by both. Provided, however, if the person was involved in an accident violating subsection (a), the minimum fine shall not be less than $700. (2) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section, if there was at the time of testing 0.15 percent or higher by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, or if at the time accompanied in the vehicle by a person under the age of 18 years, shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000, or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. (3) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) hereof after having been convicted of such a violation within the previous ten years shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 72 consecutive hours and not more than two years and by a fine of not more than $4,000. However, if the person was involved in an accident while violating subsection (a), the minimum fine that must be assessed under this paragraph is $800. In lieu of the minimum imprisonment term specified above, a court may require a person to perform not less than 14 days of community service under the direction and supervision of the Police Commissioner under such terms and conditions as the court may specify. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, including chapters 313, 405 and 407 of Title 5, Virgin Islands Code, the imposition of the minimum imprisonment term or community service as specified above shall not be suspended and no person subject to the minimum imprisonment term or community service as specified above shall be placed on probation until such imprisonment or community service has been served or carried out. If a person violates this section, the court may order a presentence screening of the person based upon the person's blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest, his prior alcohol-related convictions, a self- administered questionnaire, and a diagnostic assessment by health officials. (c) (1) In addition to the penalties specified in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) hereof, upon a first conviction for a violation of subsection (a) hereof, the court may suspend or revoke, for a period of six months: (A) the license to operate a motor vehicle of the person so convicted if the person possesses such license; (B) the operating permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle of the person so convicted if the person is a nonresident and possesses such a permit or privilege; or (C) the issuance of a license to operate a motor vehicle to the person so convicted if such person does not possess such a license. After a person's driving privileges have been suspended or revoked for at least 30 days under this paragraph, the person may petition the court for a restricted license and the court may order the Police Commissioner to issue a restricted driving license for the remainder of the period of suspension or revocation. If a person is granted a restricted driving license, he may only operate a motor vehicle to or from his place of employment or in the course of his employment. (2) In addition to the penalties specified in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) hereof, upon a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of subsection (a) hereof, the court shall suspend or revoke for at least one year and not more than five years: (A) the license to operate a motor vehicle of the person so convicted if the person possesses such a license; (B) the operating permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle of the person so convicted if the person is a nonresident and possesses such a permit or privilege; or (C) the issuance of a license to operate a motor vehicle to the person so convicted if such person so convicted does not possess such a license. (3) Suspensions or revocations of licenses or permits to operate motor vehicles pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may be in addition to any suspensions or revocations made pursuant to the provisions of section 493c of this chapter. (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any person convicted of violating subsection (a)(3), shall be also subject to the following: (A) A mandatory fine of between $3,000 and not more than $5,000 and the possible requirement to perform up to 30 hours of community service, at the discretion of the court, for a first offense. (B) A mandatory fine of between $6,000 and not more than $10,000, and mandatory community service of 60 hours for a second offense within a 10-year period. (C) A mandatory fine of between $10,000 and not more than $15,000, mandatory community service of 100 hours, and mandatory imprisonment for a term of between 30 days and not more than two years for the third or subsequent offenses within a 10-year period. (d) In addition to the penalties specified in subsections (b) and (c) hereof, upon a conviction of a violation of subsection (a) hereof, the court may: (1) order the person to attend and satisfactorily complete a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Court; or (2) order the person so convicted to attend and satisfactorily complete a substance abuse prevention and education program approved by the court. (e) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) while serving a sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section shall have their license revoked for life. (f) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the clerk of the Superior Court in which a person is convicted for a second or subsequent time under this or any other section of the Virgin Islands Code shall notify the Police Department of the conviction. Upon issuance or reinstatement of any limited driving permit, probationary license, or driver's license to the convicted person thereafter, temporary or otherwise, the driver's license must be distinctively and permanently marked with the words "DUI Offender" prominently displayed across the face of the license. The cost of the specially marked license shall be borne by the licensee. After expiration of 48 months from issuance or reinstatement of the license and if the person's license is not otherwise under suspension or revocation, the convicted person may obtain a new license without the distinctive markings upon payment of any fees required for issuance of a new driver's license. (g) The term "commercial motor vehicle" as used in subsection (a)(3) means any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on public highways in intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property when: (1) the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, whichever is greater; or (2) the vehicle is designed to carry eight or more passengers, including the driver but not including any commercial motor vehicle licensed, registered and regulated by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission; or (3) the vehicle is used in the transportation of materials found by the Virgin Islands Police Department or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to be hazardous for the purpose of the Hazardous Materials Act (49 U.S.C. sec.5101 et seq. and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. History: Amended July 18, 1968, No. 2298, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 248; Sept. 18, 1969, No. 2555, §§ 1-4, Sess. L. 1969, p. 286; Aug. 5, 1977, No. 4039, § 2, Sess. L. 1977, p. 234; Oct. 25, 1978, No. 4225, Sess. L. 1978, p. 250; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; June 28, 1984, No. 4967, § 1, Sess. L. 1984, p. 180; Sept. 27, 1991, No. 5720, § 3, Sess. L. 1991, p. 59; Oct. 31, 1998, No. 6276, § 17, Sess. L. 1998, p. 499; Mar. 5, 2005, No. 6730, § 14, Sess. L. 2005, p. 74; amended Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8268, § 1(a)(1), (2), (b)(1)-(4), (c), 2, Sess. L. 2019, p. 174; amended Sept. 17, 2025, No. 9012, § 2, Sess. L. 2025, p. -; amended Nov. 10, 2025, No. 9054, § 1, Sess. L. 2025, p. -.

Presumptions (a) Upon the trial of any criminal action, or preliminary proceeding in a criminal action, arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person in violation of subsection (a) of section 493 of this chapter while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, the results of any chemical test or tests administered in accordance with the provisions of section 493c of this chapter shall be admissible into evidence when otherwise admissible, and the amount of alcohol in the person's blood at the time alleged as shown by chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine, shall give rise to the following presumptions: (1) If there was at that time 0.05 percent or less by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of an intoxicating liquor. (2) If there was at that time in excess of 0.05 percent but less than 0.08 percent by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, that fact shall not give rise to any presumption that the person was or was not under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, but that fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of an intoxicating liquor at the time of the alleged violation. (3) If there was at that time 0.10 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood, that fact shall be prima facie evidence that the person was under the influence of an intoxicating liquor. (b) The provisions of subsection (a) hereof shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question whether the person was under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance. History: Added June 28, 1984, No. 4967, § 1, Sess. L. 1984, p. 180; amended Oct. 31, 1998, No. 6276, § 17, Sess. L. 1998, p. 499.

(a) The crime laboratory of the Department of Justice shall promulgate rules concerning the certification of: (1) chemical test operators; (2) machines and chemicals, if any, used in the operation of such machines; and (3) the technique used in operating a chemical testing machine. (b) The rules promulgated under subsection (a) of this section shall provide for the issuance of a certificate: (1) to each properly trained chemical test operator; (2) for each properly inspected and calibrated chemical test machine; and (3) stating the correct procedure to be used in operating a chemical test machine. Certificates issued under (b)(2) must specify the specific period of time for which the inspection and calibration is valid. (c) Certificates issued under subsection (b) of this section: (1) shall be sent to each court in the judicial district that has jurisdiction over violations of section 493 of this chapter; (2) are admissible in any proceeding involving a violation of section 493 or a chemical test under section 493c of this chapter; (3) are prima facie evidence that: (A) the certified operator was properly trained in the operation of the chemical test machine; (B) the chemical test machine was inspected and properly calibrated for the specific period mentioned on the certificate; (C) the procedure for operating the chemical test machine is correct. History: Added June 28, 1984, No. 4967, § 1, Sess. L. 1984, p. 180.

(a) Any person who drives, operates, or has under his physical control a motor vehicle in the Territory shall be deemed to have given his consent to chemical testing of his blood, breath or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of his blood, provided that such testing is incidental to a lawful arrest and administered at the direction of a police officer having reasonable cause to believe such person has violated subsection (a) of section 493 of this chapter and within two hours after such person has been placed under arrest for any such violation. (b) A person arrested under section 493 shall, prior to being offered a chemical test under this section, be informed that refusal to submit to a chemical test will result in: (1) evidence which may be used against him; and (2) the suspension of his driving privileges. (c) The police officer making the arrest shall determine which chemical test shall be administered and, if such police officer determines more than one chemical test is required to accurately measure the alcoholic or drug content of a person's blood, additional chemical tests, as specified by the police officer, shall be administered. (d) Any person who is unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusing to take the chemical test or tests required by this section shall be deemed not to have withdrawn his consent and such test or tests may be administered whether or not the person is informed as specified in subsection (b) hereof. (e) (1) Every police officer who offers a chemical test to a person under this section shall complete an affidavit. The affidavit shall contain the following: (A) Name of the person offered a chemical test. (B) Date and time that the test was offered or administered. (C) Whether the person submitted to each chemical test offered by the police officer. (D) If the chemical test was administered, the results of the test. (E) The police officer's grounds for believing that the person was in violation of section 493 of this title. (2) All affidavits required under pparagraph (1)of this subsection shall be filed with the court in which the person makes his initial appearance. At the initial appearance of the person, the court shall review the affidavit. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that: (A) the police officer had reasonable cause to believe that the person was in violation of section 493 of this title when he offered the chemical test to the person; and (B) the: (i) person refused to submit to a chemical test when offered by the police officer; or (ii) chemical test resulted in prima facie evidence that the person was intoxicated under section 493a(a)(3); the court shall suspend the person's driving privileges for 90 days. (3) A suspension issued under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall take effect: (A) fourteen (14) days after it is ordered by the court; or (B) the day the person is arraigned for the alleged violation of section 493; whichever first occurs. (f) (1) A person whose driving privileges have been suspended under subsection (e) of this section may petition the court for a review of the suspension. The petition must allege reasons why the person's driving privileges should not have been suspended. A copy of the petition for review must be served upon the office of the Attorney General at least 72 hours prior to the arraignment. At the arraignment, the court shall review the allegations in the petition. The court's review shall be limited to the following issues: (A) Did the person refuse to submit to a chemical test when offered by a police officer who had reasonable cause to believe that the person had violated section 493; and (B) Did a chemical test offered by a police officer who had reasonable cause to believe that the person was in violation of section 493 result in prima facie evidence that the person was intoxicated. If the court finds either of the issues to be answered in the affirmative, the court shall dismiss the petition for review of the suspension. If the court finds that both of the issues are to be answered in the negative, the court shall vacate the order concerning the suspension of the person's driving privileges. (2) Whenever the court suspends a person's driving privileges under this section, the court shall: (A) obtain the person's driver's license; and (B) forward a copy of the order to the Police Commissioner who shall enter the suspension on the driving record of the person. If a court vacates the order of suspension, the Commissioner shall remove the suspension from the person's driving record. (3) Persons whose driving privileges are suspended under this section are not entitled to a review if the suspension is under Title 20, section 545, Virgin Islands Code. (g) Evidence of a refusal to submit to or complete a chemical test or tests as provided for in this section shall be admissible into evidence when otherwise admissible upon the trial of any criminal action, or preliminary proceeding in a criminal action, arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by a person in violation of subsection (a) of section 493 of this chapter. (h) Upon the trial of any criminal action, or preliminary proceeding in a criminal action, arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person in violation of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of section 493 of this chapter while under the influence of a controlled substance, the results of any chemical test or tests administered pursuant to this section shall be admissible into evidence when otherwise admissible. (i) Upon the request of the person who submits to a chemical test or tests under the direction of a police officer, full information concerning the tests shall be made available to him or to his attorney. (j) No person except a physician, registered professional nurse, or laboratory technician acting at the request of a police officer shall be entitled to withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content therein. This limitation shall not apply to the taking of urine, saliva or breath specimen. (k) No physician, registered professional nurse, or laboratory technician, or hospital or other employer employing such physician, registered professional nurse, or laboratory technician shall be sued or held liable for any act done or omitted in the usual course of withdrawing blood at the request of a police officer pursuant to this section; Provided, That the foregoing immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful or wanton negligence. (l) The testimony of a registered professional nurse or laboratory technician to any such withdrawal of blood made by him may be received in evidence with the same weight, force and effect as if such withdrawal of blood were made by a physician. (m) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a motor vehicle accident results in the death of the driver or drivers involved within four hours after the occurrence of the accident, the medical examiner shall cause blood to be withdrawn from the body of the deceased driver or drivers for the purpose of determining the blood-alcohol content of such persons. The report shall be kept on file by the medical examiner, and shall be made available only to official highway safety agencies of the United States and the Virgin Islands Government (including the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.)) for use in compiling statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of highway safety programs. Such reports shall not be a matter of public record. History: Added June 28, 1984, No. 4967, § 1, Sess. L. 1984, p. 180; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Mar. 7, 2012, No. 7346, § 2, Sess. L. 2012, p. 28.

(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a public street or highway at a (1) speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, or (2) drive a motor vehicle on a public street or highway where road work is being performed at a speed greater than that posted on the road work sign. Upon approaching a road work sign, the driver shall reduce the vehicle's speed to the speed limit posted on the road work sign. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on the public street or highway. (b) The rate of speed for motorcars, pick-up trucks, or motorcycles shall not exceed 20 miles per hour within the town limits or 35 miles per hour on all public highways outside the town limits, except on Centerline Road west of King's Hill in St. Croix, where the rate of speed shall not exceed 40 miles per hour, and on the Melvin H. Evans Highway on St. Croix, where the rate of speed shall not exceed 55 miles per hour. (c) The rate of speed for motor trucks or busses shall not exceed 10 miles per hour within the town limits or 30 miles per hour on the public highways outside the town limits, except on the Melvin H. Evans Highway on St. Croix where the rate of speed shall not exceed 40 miles per hour. (d) Traveling for a distance of a quarter of a mile above the prescribed speed limits shall be presumptive evidence of driving at a rate of speed which is not careful and prudent. (e) The Police Commissioner, with the approval of the Governor, may reduce the speed limits fixed in this section when in his opinion such action is necessary for the public safety. (f) The Police Commissioner is authorized and directed to determine and fix the maximum speed limits, not to exceed 20 miles per hour, on all streets and roads in every housing project or housing development in the Virgin Islands. Such maximum speed limits shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. History: Amended Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 2, Sess. L. 1964, p. 311; May 26, 1971, No. 3036, Sess. L. 1971, p. 168; Dec. 10, 1980, No. 4512, § 2, Sess. L. 1980, p. 248; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; amended June 21, 2016, No. 7842, § 1(a)(1), (2), Sess. L. 2016, p. 9.

(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede, hinder or obstruct the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe driving or when negotiating a grade, or in compliance with law. (b) Whenever the Police Commissioner determines on the basis of engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the said Commissioner may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 10, Sess. L. 1964, p. 313; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

(a) Upon all highways or streets of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the left half of the highway or street, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the right of the center of the highway or street, or when driving on a one-way street. No motor vehicle shall overtake and pass another motor vehicle on a curve, at the intersection of another road, or when approaching the top of a hill. No motor vehicle shall overtake and pass another vehicle in violation of traffic control signals, road stripings or markings. If there are no signals, road stripings or markings, no motor vehicle shall overtake and pass another unless the road ahead is clear of other vehicles, pedestrians or other obstructions for a distance of not less than 200 feet. The driver of a vehicle overtaking and passing another vehicle shall do so on the right side at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the left side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. (b) Before entering or crossing main roads beyond the town limits, every driver shall bring his motor vehicle to a full stop, change to low gear, sound the warning device, and then proceed with due caution. Traffic on main streets or main roads shall have the right of way. When approaching any cross road or curve, every driver shall exercise due caution, sound the warning device, and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle. (c) On turning to the left into another road, the driver of a motor vehicle shall keep as close to the left as safety permits; on turning to the right into another road, he shall pass, when possible, to the left of the center point of intersection of the roads before the turning. (d) Every driver of a motor vehicle shall indicate his intention of starting, stopping, turning, or backing by signals prescribed by the Police Commissioner. (e) In St. Croix, the streets running east and west in Christiansted, and those running north and south in Frederiksted; and the Centerline road, and the North and Southside roads, are the main streets and the main roads for the purpose of this section. (f) Upon any highway or street having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the right of the center line of the highway or street, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the right side of the center of the highway or street for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes; provided, however, that this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a right turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. (g) Whenever any highway or street has been divided into two or more roadways by an intervening space or physical barrier, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the left-hand roadway, unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers. No vehicle shall be driven over, across or within any such dividing space or barrier, except through a crossover or intersection established by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). (h) (1) The operator of any vehicle or motor vehicle shall bring his vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the front when approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or following any bus displaying flashing signal lights, except at the specific direction of a traffic officer. Vehicles so stopped for a bus shall not proceed until the bus no longer displays flashing signal lights. At the intersection of two or more roadways, vehicles are prohibited from turning in the direction of a bus receiving or discharging passengers. The operator of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a bus which is on a different roadway. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the word "bus" means any school bus or bus clearly marked "Senior Citizens" or "Disabled Persons" which has signal lights appropriately placed for signaling a stop by flashing. History: Amended Sept. 6, 1978, No. 4202, Sess. L. 1978, p. 225; Oct. 25, 1978, No. 4232, Sess. L. 1978, p. 256; June 15, 1985, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Apr. 15, 1985, No. 5046, § 1(a), Sess. L. 1985, p. 4.

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway shall yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle being operated in an emergency, and when the driver of such emergency vehicle is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell. This provision shall not operate to relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with reasonable care for the safety of all persons using the public streets or highways, nor shall it protect such driver of any emergency vehicle from the consequence of an arbitrary exercise of such right-of-way. (b) For the purpose of this section "emergency vehicle" shall mean an ambulance, a police or fire service vehicle and vehicles of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Virgin Islands Port Authority, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, the Office of Civil Defense, the marshals' division of the Superior Court and such other vehicles that may be so designated by the Police Commissioner when such vehicles are being used in cases of actual emergencies. (c) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with an alternately flashing light and a siren, exhaust whistle or bell capable of giving an audible signal. Police and Superior Court Marshal's vehicles shall be equipped with a blue light; Fire Department vehicles and ambulances with a red light; Civil Defense vehicles with a red/white light; and tow trucks, utility and all other emergency vehicles with an amber light. Other emergency vehicles shall be those designated and approved by the Police Commissioner. History: June 16, 1966, No. 1768, Sess. L. 1966, p. 361; amended Mar. 25, 1971, No. 2968, Sess. L. 1971, p. 84; July 28, 1978, No. 4158, Sess. L. 1978, p. 154; Oct. 20, 1981, No. 4639, § 2, Sess. L. 1981, p. 242; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; July 21, 1994, No. 5992, § 2, Sess. L. 1994, p. 94.

Every person operating a motor vehicle shall, on a signal by a person riding, leading, or driving horses or other draught animals, bring the motor vehicle to a stop, and if traveling in the opposite direction, remain stationary as long as may be reasonable to allow such animals to pass. If traveling in the same direction the driver of the motor vehicle shall use reasonable caution. If such animals appear to be badly frightened, the person operating the motor vehicle, when signalled or requested to do so, shall cause the motor of the vehicle to cease running for so long a time as shall be reasonable to prevent accident, and to insure the safety of those concerned.

(a) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the public street or highway. (b) A vehicle shall be considered parked when the vehicle and its motor have been stopped and the driver has left the vehicle. (c) [Repealed.] (d) Motor vehicles shall not be stopped where they impede traffic; and they shall be parked only in places and in the manner designated by the Police Commissioner. No parking space or parking area on any public street or highway shall be reserved for anyone except the handicapped and the following public officials: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Judges of the District and Superior Courts; Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the head of each executive department of the Government. No automobile shall be stopped on a public street or highway nearer than three (3) feet to any automobile already stopped in front or rear of it. Whoever, without a handicapped designation properly affixed to the motor vehicle, parks in a space or area designated for the handicapped shall be fined the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000). (e) Except where angle parking is permitted, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there is an adjacent curb shall be so stopped or parked that the wheels of such vehicle nearest the curb shall be parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb. (f) Whenever any motor vehicle without driver is found parked or stopped in violation of any of the restrictions imposed by law or regulations, the officer finding such vehicle shall take note of the make and number plate and may take any other information displayed on the vehicle which may help to identify the vehicle and the person committing the violation, and shall post in a conspicuous place in such vehicle a traffic ticket on the form provided by the rules governing the Superior Court requiring the appearance of said person to make his plea before the Superior Court or the violation clerk on the date specified in the ticket, which date shall not be sooner than five nor later than ten days counting from the date of service of such traffic ticket. If the owner of the motor vehicle is the Government of the Virgin Islands, a complaint shall be filed against the employee to whom the motor vehicle was assigned no later than ten (10) days from the date of service of the traffic ticket if the offender has not appeared in response to such ticket within the prescribed period of time. If the offender does not appear in response to the traffic ticket affixed to such motor vehicle within the period prescribed therein, the complaint shall be filed against the vehicle's owner appearing in the records of the Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). The clerk of the Superior Court shall send to said owner at his last known address, a copy of the complaint admonishing him that should he fail to appear within the term of 10 days counting from the date said copy is mailed, warrant for his arrest will be issued. The case shall continue to be prosecuted through ordinary channels. In any prosecution charging a violation of any law or regulation concerning the standing or parking of a vehicle, proof that the particular vehicle described in the complaint was parked in violation of any such law or regulation, together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was at the time of such parking the registered owner of such vehicle, shall create a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of such vehicle was the person who parked or placed such vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, such violation occurred. (g) No motor vehicle shall be stopped or parked in front of an access ramp to a building where such ramp is marked and delineated as an access for handicapped persons. Whoever violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000). (h) Every traffic ticket issued pursuant to subsection (f) and (g) of this section shall constitute a lien on the title of the motor vehicle upon which said traffic ticket was placed, which lien shall continue in existence until the traffic ticket is either paid or discharged according to law. The clerk of the Superior Court shall notify the registered owner of the vehicle of the establishment of the lien as well as any other person who has a registered lien upon said vehicle. For purposes of this subsection, notification of the registered owner of the vehicle at his last known address, whether or not received by the addressee, shall constitute legal notice. The clerk of the Superior Court shall keep a registry of the liens created pursuant to this subsection, which shall be open to public inspection. The contents of said registry and updates thereto shall periodically be transmitted to the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.) for purposes of the following paragraph. No motor vehicle shall be registered and licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 33 of this title, nor shall a change of ownership be registered by the Commissioner pursuant to said chapter 33 until all liens created pursuant to this subsection have been discharged. (i) The Virgin Islands Department of Public Works shall paint all handicapped access ramps in the mandated blue color so as to make them visible to motorists and shall permanently display on an appropriately painted blue and white sign in the handicapped parking area, the $1000 fine applicable to the violation. History: Amended June 13, 1960, No. 603, Sess. L. 1960, p. 114; Nov. 23, 1960, No. 642, Sess. L. 1960, p. 193; Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 7, Sess. L. 1964, p. 312; Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2934, Sess. L. 1970, p. 424; Jan. 11, 1974, No. 3515, § 1, Sess. L. 1973, p. 308; Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, § 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; May 14, 1985, No. 5060, § 115, Sess. L. 1985, p. 34; May 14, 1986, No. 5158, § 8(a)(2), Sess. L. 1986, p. 50; June 8, 1990, No. 5568, § 6(a)2, 3, Sess. L. 1990, p. 220; Dec. 13, 1995, No. 6089, §§ 1A-C, 2, 3, Sess. L. 1995, p. 250; July 10, 1997, No. 6137, § 1, Sess. L. 1997, p. 31.

Use (a) On days in which a tourist ship with 300 or more passengers visits the Port of Charlotte Amalie, the Police Commissioner shall designate on the Main Street of Charlotte Amalie not less than one dozen parking areas for the exclusive use of taxicabs for the period of the ship's stay in port. (b) Taxicab drivers shall use such special parking areas to discharge and await passengers and solicit fares in accordance with regulations approved by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (V.I.P.D.). History: June 6, 1957, No. 183, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1957, p. 76; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

The Police Commissioner is hereby authorized to establish and from time to time, alter, modify or remove, exclusive parking areas for taxis on the island of St. Croix at such places where he may determine will serve the convenience and needs of the taxi-using public on such island, except that an exclusive, permanent parking area for taxis shall be established and maintained on a section of King Street between the waterfront and the Florence Williams Library in Christiansted, St. Croix, in the place where such Library is located on the date of enactment of this section. The operators of taxis to which such areas are assigned shall be required to remain in attendance at the vehicle while parked in such area. History: Apr. 1, 1964, No. 1117, § 1, Sess. L. 1964, p. 62; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; May 14, 2001, No. 6403, § 6, Sess. L. 2001, p. 22.

On Tourist Ship Days The Police Commissioner is hereby authorized to establish by regulations means for affording access to public docking facilities in the Virgin Islands by taxicab operators on tourist ship days. History: Apr. 1, 1964, No. 1117, § 2, Sess. L. 1964, p. 62; amended Dec. 29, 1976, No. 3919, Sess. L. 1976, p. 245; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

On Tourist Ship Days Upon the application of any person having jurisdiction over privately owned or operated docking facilities in the Virgin Islands, the Commissioner of Public Safety may regulate the operation of motor vehicles by taxicab operators on the ground or grounds of such docking facilities on tourist ship days. History: Added June 16, 1966, No. 1779, Sess. L. 1966, p. 370; amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

Organizations The Police Commissioner shall designate by appropriate signs a maximum of two (2) parking spaces in front of or in close proximity to a church or religious organization to be utilized for the loading and unloading of passengers only. However, such spaces may be utilized by the pastor or priest of such church or religious organization for parking purposes. History: Added Oct. 16, 1986, No. 5214, § 1, Sess. L. 1986, p. 329.

The Police Commissioner may establish parking areas for fishermen to sell fish and other seafood from their motor vehicles, at the northside of the Rothschild Francis Square, the Lionel Roberts Stadium, Frenchtown, Fort Mylner and at such other locations as he determines serve the purpose of this chapter and the public interest. History: Added June 30, 1992, No. 5803, § 4, Sess. L. 1992, p. 104.

(a) An automobile may carry only one passenger in excess of its registered capacity, except in the case of infants. (b) No person shall ride on the fenders, running board, any exterior fitting, or on the outside of motor vehicles, busses or trucks or hang on the sides thereof. The driver of any such vehicle shall be held guilty as an accessory if he permits such conduct. This subsection does not apply to a mechanic engaged in testing the vehicle or to a policeman.

In the interest of public safety, the Police Commissioner may trim trees and clear away brush which obstruct the view of the road. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

(a) The over-all measurement of the bodies of all motor vehicles, including all extensions, shall not exceed 8 feet in width, and no load shall extend beyond the body width. (b) Any load extending more than 5 feet beyond the front or rear of the body length shall be provided with a red flag on the extension in the daytime, and red light at night. (c) No motor vehicle including a load thereon shall exceed a height of 13 feet, six inches. (d) No truck shall at any time draw more than one trailer, semitrailer, or other vehicle. (e) The Police Commissioner shall regulate, by permit, the operation of motor vehicles on the public roads and highways that do not meet the requirements of this section. In granting a permit the Commissioner shall prescribe a time period when the permit shall be in effect and such other conditions as he may deem necessary to insure that such motor vehicle can be operated in a manner which will not impede traffic or increase the hazard to traffic. History: Amended Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 2, Sess. L. 1970, p. 417; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177.

(a) No person, whether as principal or agent, shall drive or in any other way cause to pass over any macadamized or concrete-surfaced street or road any road-building or other heavy equipment which may cause the ripping up of or other injury, save usual wear and tear, to such street or road without first placing such equipment on a trailer or truck equipped with pneumatic tires to prevent such equipment from making damaging contact with such street or road. (b) Tractors shall traverse the public roads only at such speed and in such manner as shall not damage the road, and shall not haul any equipment upon the public roads except as herein specifically provided for. Agricultural and other equipment shall not be towed or hauled on the public roads unless it is loaded on a truck, trailer or other conveyance of such character as will not damage the roads, except that tractors towing agricultural machinery may directly cross the public road and trenches from one side to the other but shall make no turns on the roadways or within that six foot area inside of the trenches, the use of which is restricted to preserve the roads and within which no trees shall be felled. (c) The Commissioner of Public Works, whenever he is satisfied that a case of sufficient urgency requires and justifies it, may grant permission to persons or others to do without resulting liability the acts prohibited by this section, but in no case may anyone be excused from such liability for violations committed without the prior permission of the Commissioner of Public Works. (d) This section does not apply to the necessary operation or transfer of equipment of the Department of Public Works. (e) All damages done to a public road by tractors or other equipment shall be repaired at the expense of the owner thereof and payments therefor shall be covered into the General Fund of the treasury of the Virgin Islands. (f) Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $500 which shall be disbursed one half to the Department of Public Works and one half to the Virgin Islands Police Department. History: Amended Mar. 23, 2016, No. 7846, § 1, Sess. L. 2016, p. 15.

The chauffeur of a truck shall at all times exercise the greatest degree of care and caution. The chauffeur of a truck shall be held responsible for violations of this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. History: Amended Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 3, Sess. L. 1970, p. 418.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in a negligent manner over and along the public highways of this Territory. For the purpose of this section to "operate in a negligent manner" means the operation of a vehicle upon the public highways of this Territory in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. The offense of operating a vehicle in a negligent manner shall be considered to be a lesser offense than, but included in, the offense of operating a vehicle in a reckless manner, and any person charged with operating a vehicle in a reckless manner may be convicted of the lesser offense of operating a vehicle in a negligent manner. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 3, Sess. L. 1964, p. 311.

(a) When the death of a person ensues within one year as a proximate result of injury received by the operation of a vehicle by any person while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner or with disregard for the safety of others, the persons so operating such vehicle shall be guilty of negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle. Any person convicted of negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years, or by a fine of not less than $3,000 or more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (b) A person convicted of a violation of this section who was under the influence of, or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs, shall be ordered to pay restitution in the form of child maintenance in accordance with 5 V.I.C. § 3677 if the victim of the offense was the parent or guardian of a minor child or dependent. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 4, Sess. L. 1964, p. 311; amended Jan. 18, 2020, No. 8269, § 1(a), (b), Sess. L. 2019, p. 175; amended Sept. 17, 2025, No. 9012, § 2, Sess. L. 2025, p. -.

No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 5, Sess. L. 1964, p. 312.

The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision, and upon entering the public street or highway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on public street or highway. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 6, Sess. L. 1964, p. 312.

The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 8, Sess. L. 1964, p. 312.

No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. History: Added Apr. 27, 1964, No. 1209, § 9, Sess. L. 1964, p. 312.

(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases have the meanings given to them in this subsection. (1) "Engage in a call" means talking into or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, but does not include holding a mobile telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. (2) "Handheld mobile telephone" means a mobile telephone other than a hands-free mobile telephone with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand. (3) "Hands-free device" means an attachment, add-on, built-in feature or addition to a mobile telephone which, when used, allows the user to engage, in a call without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of the mobile telephone. (4) "Mobile telephone" means the device used by subscribers and other users of wireless telephone service to access such service. (5) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public roads and highways. (6) "Using" means holding a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of the user's ear. (b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), no person may operate a motor vehicle upon the public roads or highways of the Virgin Islands while using a handheld mobile telephone to engage in a call while the vehicle is in motion. (2) A driver of school bus carrying passengers may not use a mobile telephone or other electronic device, including a device with hands-free accessories, while the school bus is moving; except that this section does not apply to a driver of a school bus while placing an emergency call to school officials, or to an emergency response agency set forth in subsection (c)(1). (3) A person who holds a learner's permit may not use a mobile telephone or other electronic device, including a device with hands-free accessories, while operating a moving, motor vehicle on a public street or highway, except in an emergency as set forth in subsection (c) paragraph (1). (4) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of his ear while the vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. (A) The presumption established by this paragraph is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator was not engaged in a call. (B) For purposes of this paragraph, "immediate proximity" means that distance as permits the operator of a mobile telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over the mobile telephone, but does not require physical contact with the operator's ear. (5) A person who violates this subsection shall be fined not less than $25, but not more than $100. (6) A person at fault for a second or subsequent violation shall be fined not less than $50, but not more than $200. (7) A person at fault for three or more violations within a three-year period shall be fined not less than $100 or more than $500 and may have his driver's license suspended for a period not to exceed one year. (c) The provisions of this section do not apply to (1) the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating regarding an emergency situation to an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, rescue unit or other emergency responder a police department or other law enforcement agency, local or federal. History: Added Jan. 2, 2006, No. 6795, § 2, Sess. L. 2005, pp. 439-441.

(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication. (b) As used in this section "write, send, or read a text-based communication" means (1) using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using a text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail; or (2) using an electronic wireless communications device to manually read, select, or enter a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call. (c) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50) for a first offense. (d) A second or subsequent violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than seventy dollars ($75) [sic], but not more than two hundred dollars ($200). (e) Three or more violations of this section within a three year period are punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200), but not more than four hundred dollars ($400), and a person to whom this subsection applies may have his driver's license suspended for a period not to exceed l year. History: Added Dec. 21, 2009, No. 7141, § 1, Sess. L. 2009, pp. 301, 302.

(a) No motor vehicle operated on the roads and highways of the Virgin Islands shall be equipped with any television or television type receiving equipment so located that the viewer, display or screen is visible from the driver's seat. (b) As used in this section "television type receiving equipment" includes electronic equipment capable of playing digital video discs ("DVDs"). (c) This section does not apply to the following motor vehicles and under the following circumstances: (1) public safety or emergency motor vehicles when the use, operation or equipment of televisions or television type equipment is approved by the public safety or emergency service employer and the use, operation or equipment of televisions or television type equipment is used in the course and scope of the duties of the public safety or emergency services entity; and (2) motor vehicles which use a viewer, display or screen in conjunction with a vehicle navigation system, and when used for solely for that purpose. (d) A violation of this section is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense. (e) A second or subsequent violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50), but not more than two hundred dollars ($200). (f) Three or more violations of this section within a three year period is punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), but not more than two hundred dollars ($200), and a person to whom this subsection applies may have his driver's license suspended for a period not to exceed 1 year. History: Added Dec. 21, 2009, No. 7141, § 2, Sess. L. 2009, p. 302.

(a) Any blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a dog guide equipped with a rigid "U"-shaped harness, shall have the right-of-way in crossing any highway, street, or any intersection thereof, and all drivers of vehicles shall yield the right-of- way to such pedestrian although traffic on said highway or intersection thereof is controlled by traffic signals, notwithstanding any other provision in the Virgin Islands Code to the contrary. (b) The driver of a motor vehicle approaching a blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a dog guide equipped with a rigid "U"-shaped harness shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such pedestrian. Such operator shall bring the motor vehicle to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to such pedestrian at any street or highway, or any intersection thereof. The operator of the vehicle shall remain stopped until such time as such pedestrian has safely reached a position well outside the course normally used by the operator of the vehicle or other conveyance. An exception to this requirement would be an emergency vehicle sounding a siren or where traffic is specially directed by a traffic officer. Any motor vehicle operator who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of negligent driving. (c) A blind person not carrying a cane or using a dog guide in any of the places, accommodations, or conveyances listed in section 152 of chapter 9 of Title 10, Virgin Islands Code, has all of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon other persons, and the failure of a blind pedestrian to carry a white cane as described herein, or to use a dog guide, shall not be held to constitute, nor be evidence of, negligence. History: Added Dec. 7, 1982, No. 4767, § 3, Sess. L. 1982, p. 235; amended July 26, 2011, No. 7271, § 1, Sess. L. 2011, p. 141.

(a) For purposes of this section, a "traffic signal preemption device" means any device that emits a pulse of light or other signal that, when received by a detector attached to a traffic control signal, changes that traffic control signal. (b) It is unlawful to install, transport or operate a traffic signal preemption device in a motor vehicle, unless- (1) the motor vehicle is an emergency vehicle as defined in section 495a of this chapter, and (2) the traffic signal preemption device is being operated when the driver of the emergency vehicle is giving an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell and a visual signal by flashing lights. (c) It is unlawful for a retailer or manufacturer to sell a traffic signal preemption device to any person for any intended use other than in the operation of an emergency vehicle. (d) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a) or (b) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than three months, or by a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $750, or by both such fine and the imprisonment. History: Added July 19, 2006, No. 6847, § 2, Sess. L. 2006, pp. 132, 133.

VIC VIOLATION DESCRIPTION 1st. FEE 2nd. FEE 3rd. FEE T 20, 374 Allowing unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle 100.00 100.00 200.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) Operating vehicles with bald tires 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) Operating vehicles with broken windshield 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 465(e) Operating or carrying person on motorcycle without wearing helmet 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 465(d) Carrying more than 1 person on a motorcycle designed to carry one person 100.00 200.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 461(a), (b) Driving an unsafe vehicle 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 371(a) Driving without a license (Never obtaining a driver's license) 100.00 200.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 509 Driving while using cell phone (Mobile Phone) 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 23, 414 & 415 Disregarding Crosswalk 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 332 Displaying a sticker not approved or generated by Bureau of Motor Vehicles Dir. 50.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 541 Failing to report an accident 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 23, 411 & 415 Failing to yield the right of way 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 24, 463(a) Failing to dim lights 100.00 150.00 150.00 T 20, 495a Fail to stop for siren 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 334(e) Unlawfully transferring license plates 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to stop when ordered 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 335(a) Failing to transfer registration 150.00 225.00 300.00 T 20, 495(d) Failing to signal 100.00 125.00 250.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to proceed when ordered 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to obey an officer when ordered to stop or 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 500 Failing to meet vehicular load, height, width requirements TO BE DETERMINED BY COURT T 20, 466(a) Failing to Restrain Infant or toddler under age 5 by use of child restraint system or booster seat 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 494a(a) Failing to drive above minimum speed or failure to drive at minimum speed necessary for safe 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 331(1) (2) Failing to display registration sticker 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 708 & 712 Failing to show proof of vehicle insurance 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 497(d) Impeding traffic 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 463 Failing to display proper lighting 125.00 175.00 250.00 T 20, 464(b) Using improper muffler 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 495(c) Failing to properly make a turn 100.00 125.00 175.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to properly change lanes 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Improper passing at intersection 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to properly pass 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 497(a) Leaving keys in ignition 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident 500.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident personal injury 1000.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident property 750.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident 500.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 461(a), (b) Failing to driving safely by burning out tires 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 507 Failing to reverse properly 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to remain of left side of street or highway 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 492 Failing to maintain control of vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 500 Operating an overloaded vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 461(b) Operating an unsafe vehicle 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 503 Negligent driving 200.00 250.00 300.00 TO BE TO BE T 20, 503 Negligent driving involving personal injury 1000.00 DETERMINED BY THE COURT DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 503 Negligent driving involving property damage 750.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 371(b) No license on person driving without a license on person 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 463(a) No license plate lights 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 333 No registration on person or in vehicle 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) No bumper on vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 463(a) No covering of bumper lights 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) No fender 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 401(a), (d) No taxi badge or card 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 402(d) No taxi dome light 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 404 No taxi tariff 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 466 No safety belt/failure to wear safety belt 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 497(d) Obstructing traffic 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 23, 91 One way street (Traveling wrong way on a one way street) 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 401 Operating vehicle for hire without license 200.00 250.00 300.00 T 20, 371(a) Operating vehicle while license is suspended 200.00 300.00 400.00 T 20, 498(a) Operating a motor vehicle with an excess number of passengers 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 23, 94 & 96 Overtime parking 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 497(d) Parking in prohibited area 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 497(e) Parking on a curb 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing on a curve 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing on a double yellow line 150.00 175.00 300.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a "Do Not Enter" sign 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a red light 150.00 175.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a stop sign 100.00 100.00 150.00 T 20, 495(h) (1) Passing a school bus 200.00 300.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 466 Passenger without seatbelt 125.00 175.00 255.00 T 20, 497(d) Parking in handicapped zone 1,000.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 492 Reckless driving 300.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 465(e) Riding without helmet 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 494 Speeding 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 494 Exceeding the speed limit by 30 miles or more 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 494 Exceeding the speed limit by not more than 29 miles 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 401 Soliciting passengers 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 800 Tinted glass on vehicle in violation of Title 20, section 800 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 497b Unattended taxi 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 712 Uninsured vehicle 250.00 500.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 331(1) (2)331 (1) Unregistered vehicle 200.00 300.00 400.00 (2) VIC VIOLATION DESCRIPTION 1st. FEE 2nd. FEE 3rd. FEE T 20, 374 Allowing unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle 100.00 100.00 200.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) Operating vehicles with bald tires 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) Operating vehicles with broken windshield 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 465(e) Operating or carrying person on motorcycle without wearing helmet 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 465(d) Carrying more than 1 person on a motorcycle designed to carry one person 100.00 200.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 461(a), (b) Driving an unsafe vehicle 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 371(a) Driving without a license (Never obtaining a driver's license) 100.00 200.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 509 Driving while using cell phone (Mobile Phone) 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 23, 414 & 415 Disregarding Crosswalk 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 332 Displaying a sticker not approved or generated by Bureau of Motor Vehicles Dir. 50.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 541 Failing to report an accident 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 23, 411 & 415 Failing to yield the right of way 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 24, 463(a) Failing to dim lights 100.00 150.00 150.00 T 20, 495a Fail to stop for siren 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 334(e) Unlawfully transferring license plates 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to stop when ordered 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 335(a) Failing to transfer registration 150.00 225.00 300.00 T 20, 495(d) Failing to signal 100.00 125.00 250.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to proceed when ordered 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 491(b) Failing to obey an officer when ordered to stop or 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 500 Failing to meet vehicular load, height, width requirements TO BE DETERMINED BY COURT T 20, 466(a) Failing to Restrain Infant or toddler under age 5 by use of child restraint system or booster seat 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 494a(a) Failing to drive above minimum speed or failure to drive at minimum speed necessary for safe 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 331(1)(2) Failing to display registration sticker 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 708 & 712 Failing to show proof of vehicle insurance 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 497(d) Impeding traffic 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 463 Failing to display proper lighting 125.00 175.00 250.00 T 20, 464(b) Using improper muffler 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 495(c) Failing to properly make a turn 100.00 125.00 175.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to properly change lanes 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Improper passing at intersection 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to properly pass 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 497(a) Leaving keys in ignition 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident 500.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident personal injury 1000.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident property 750.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 541 Leaving the scene of an accident 500.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 461(a), (b) Failing to driving safely by burning out tires 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 507 Failing to reverse properly 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 495(a) Failing to remain of left side of street or highway 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 492 Failing to maintain control of vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 500 Operating an overloaded vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 461(b) Operating an unsafe vehicle 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 503 Negligent driving 200.00 250.00 300.00 T 20, 503 Negligent driving involving personal injury 1000.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 503 Negligent driving involving property damage 750.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 371(b) No license on person driving without a license on person 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 463(a) No license plate lights 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 333 No registration on person or in vehicle 100.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) No bumper on vehicle 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 463(a) No covering of bumper lights 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 461(a), (b) No fender 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 401(a), (d) No taxi badge or card 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 402(d) No taxi dome light 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 404 No taxi tariff 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 466 No safety belt/failure to wear safety belt 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 497(d) Obstructing traffic 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 23, 91 One way street (Traveling wrong way on a one way street) 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 401 Operating vehicle for hire without license 200.00 250.00 300.00 T 20, 371(a) Operating vehicle while license is suspended 200.00 300.00 400.00 T 20, 498(a) Operating a motor vehicle with an excess number of passengers 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 23, 94 & 96 Overtime parking 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 497(d) Parking in prohibited area 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 497(e) Parking on a curb 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing on a curve 150.00 200.00 250.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing on a double yellow line 150.00 175.00 300.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a "Do Not Enter" sign 100.00 150.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a red light 150.00 175.00 200.00 T 20, 495(a) Passing a stop sign 100.00 100.00 150.00 T 20, 495(h)(1) Passing a school bus 200.00 300.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 466 Passenger without seatbelt 125.00 175.00 255.00 T 20, 497(d) Parking in handicapped zone 1,000.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 492 Reckless driving 300.00 Must Appear In Court T 20, 465(e) Riding without helmet 150.00 200.00 300.00 T 20, 494 Speeding 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 494 Exceeding the speed limit by 30 miles or more 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 494 Exceeding the speed limit by not more than 29 miles 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 401 Soliciting passengers 125.00 175.00 225.00 T 20, 800 Tinted glass on vehicle in violation of Title 20, section 800 150.00 250.00 350.00 T 20, 497b Unattended taxi 100.00 125.00 150.00 T 20, 712 Uninsured vehicle 250.00 500.00 TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COURT T 20, 331(1)(2)331 (1)(2) Unregistered vehicle 200.00 300.00 400.00 History: Added July 12, 2011, No. 7266, § 1, Sess. L. 2011, pp. 114-119; amended June 21, 2016, No. 7842, § 1(b), Sess. L. 2016, p. 9; amended Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 3, Sess. L. 2022, p. 100; amended Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 2, Sess. L. 2024, p. -; added June 13, 2025, No. 8990, § 2, Sess. L. 2025, p. -.

The fines collected under Part II of this title must be distributed as follows: (1) 15 percent must be disbursed to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; (2) 40 percent must be disbursed to the Virgin Islands Police Department to be divided equally between the district of St. Croix and the district of St. Thomas and St. John with a portion to be used to develop and supply citation books for the Virgin Islands Police Department, including citation books for animal cruelty offenses; (3) 35 percent of fines and discretionary fines must be disbursed to the Government Insurance Fund; and (4) 10 percent must be disbursed to Emergency Medical Services to be divided equally between the district of St. Croix and the district of St. Thomas and St. John. History: Added June 2, 2016, No. 7887, § 1, Sess. L. 2016, p. 102; amended July 30, 2016, No. 7891, § 14(a)-(e), Sess. L. 2016, p. 122, 123.

As used in this subchapter the following terms have the meaning set forth in this section. (1) "Active data" means data uploaded to individual, automated license plate reader system units before operation; and data gathered during the operation of an automated license plate reader system. Active data does not include historical data. (2) "Automated license plate reader system" means a system of one or more mobile or fixed high-speed cameras used in combination with computer algorithms to convert an image of a license plate into computer-readable data. (3) "Bureau" means the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (4) "Captured plate data" means the global positioning system coordinates, dates and times, photographs, license plate numbers, and any other data collected by or derived from an automated license plate reader system. Captured plate data includes active data and historical data. (5) "Captured images" means the complete, uncropped images generated by the Automated license plate reader system. (6) "Department" means the Virgin Islands Police Department. (7) "Facial recognition software" means computer software that can automatically match the image or video footage of a person's face with a person's identity and allow for facial images to be stored and searched for at a later time. (8) "Governmental entity" includes the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Government of the Virgin Islands, agencies and autonomous and semi-autonomous instrumentalities of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and Governing Boards and Commissions of the Government of the Virgin Islands, including but not limited to the Virgin Islands Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation and the University of the Virgin Islands. (9) "Historical data" means any data collected by an automated license plate reader system and stored in an automated license plate reader database operated by the Virgin Islands Police Department or other law enforcement agency. (10) "Law enforcement agency" has the meaning stated 5 V.I.C. § 4101(h). (11) "Legitimate law enforcement purpose" means the investigation, detection, or analysis of a crime or a violation of Virgin Islands laws, the operation of terrorist or missing or endangered person searches or alerts or an activity initiated by a law enforcement agency. (12) "Watch list" means a list of specific vehicles and license plates used to create events when specific license plates are detected. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 94, 95.

(a) The Virgin Islands Police Department shall develop and maintain an automated license plate reader system database. (b) The Department and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may collect, and store captured images and plate data for the purposes described and as prescribed in this subchapter. (c) The captured images and plate data must be stored immediately upon collection and immediately transferred to the database of the Bureau and not accessed except for a purpose identified in section 523(a). (d) All captured images and plate data collected must be destroyed no later than 24 months after the data was originally collected unless the data is the subject matter for a law enforcement purpose. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 95, 96.

(a) The automated license plate reader system may be used by a law enforcement agency for a legitimate law enforcement purpose and by a governmental entity for the purpose of: (1) enforcing all laws; (2) investigating any potential crime or criminal activity; (3) conducting traffic analysis and assessing planning needs; (4) research and educational purposes; if the data collected is anonymized. (b) With the exception of the Virgin Islands Police Department, law enforcement agencies or other governmental entities must obtain a warrant prior to using a watch list to automatically identify specific vehicles or individuals, except when: (1) using a federal anti-terrorism watch list; (2) the Department or other law enforcement agency determines that there is an ongoing crime that meets camera system emergency watch-list criteria outlined in the Department's regulations accompanying this subchapter. Such criteria must conclude that: (A) Law enforcement determines that there is an ongoing crime in which an individual's life or safety is in danger; and (B) There is enough descriptive information about a suspect or a suspect's vehicle to believe that inclusion on a camera system emergency watch-list will assist in apprehending the suspect. (c) Any entity with which a contract has been executed to provide or maintain the technology or equipment to use automated license plate readers or the database is entitled to access the data collected exclusively for the purposes of enforcing this subchapter. (d) The automated license plate reader system may use facial recognition software. The Department shall ensure the selection of facial recognition software, technology or systems that have the least amount of racially skewed failure or false match rates. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 96, 97.

(a) Information gathered by an automated license plate reader system is not a public record and not subject to disclosure under the Virgin Islands Public Records Act, 3 V.I.C. § 881 et seq. (b) Captured plate images and data may not be used or shared for any other purpose other than the purposes described in § 523(a). (c) A party in a criminal or civil case requesting captured plate images or data must submit a court order or subpoena that: (1) Requests the Department to preserve the captured plate image or data; (2) Identifies the camera or cameras for which captured images or plate data must be preserved, the license plate for which captured plate images or data must be preserved; and the dates and time frames for which captured images or plate data must be preserved; (3) Notifies the Department that the party in the civil or criminal case is applying for a court order for disclosure of the captured images or plate data. (d) A court of competent jurisdiction shall issue a court order requiring the disclosure of captured plate data if the requesting party offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the captured images or plate data is relevant and material to the ongoing case. (e) The Department shall release the captured images or plate data requested in subsection (c) upon the receipt of a court order requiring the disclosure of the data. (f) A law enforcement agency or governmental entity requesting captured plate data shall submit a written request to the Department or the Bureau identifying the purpose consistent with section 523. (g) Captured images or plate data that are the subject of an application for a disclosure order under this section must be destroyed at the later of the date that an application is denied, and any appeal exhausted; or the end of the period described in section 522(d). (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a governmental entity may preserve and disclose aggregate captured images or plate data for planning and statistical purposes, if the information identifying a specific license plate is not preserved or disclosed. (i) A governmental entity that is authorized to use an automated license plate reader system may not sell captured plate images or data for any purpose. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 97.

(a) Any person who knowingly requests, uses, obtains or attempts to obtain images or data captured from an automated license plate reader system under false pretenses or for any purpose other than the purposes identified in section 523(a) is for each such offense guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) An employee of a law enforcement agency or a governmental entity who violates this section is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 97, 98.

(a) The Department and the Bureau in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations relating to the operation and use of the automated license plate reader system. (b) The regulations must include: (1) Designation of staff in the Department and the Bureau authorized to query captured images or license plate data gathered by an automated license plate reader system; (2) Procedures and safeguards to ensure that staff with access to the automated license plate reader database are adequately screened and trained; (3) An audit process to ensure that information obtained through the use of an automated license plate reader system is used only for the purposes identified in section 523, including audits of requests made by law enforcement officers and employees of a governmental entity; and; (4) Annual reporting requirements to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands based on data from the previous calendar year. The data must include: (A) The total number of automated license plate reader units being operated in the territory; (B) The number of automated license plate reader readings made and categorized by district; (C) The number of automated license plate reader readings or images being retained on the automated license plate reader database; (D) The number of requests made for automated license plate reader data or images, including specific number for the number of requests that resulted in a release of information; the number of requests made from outside the Territory; the number of federal requests; the number of requests from outside the Territory that resulted in a release of information; and the number of federal requests that resulted in a release of information; (E) Any data breaches or instances of unauthorized use of the automated license plate reader database; and (F) A list of audits completed. History: Added Apr. 11, 2022, No. 8552, § 1, Sess. L. 2022, p. 98, 99.

(a) This subchapter may be cited as the "School Speed Zone and Enforcement Act." History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

As used in this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) "School Speed Zone" means a designated area within a specified distance from a school property boundary where vehicular speed limits are reduced below the standard limits for the road to enhance safety. These zones are active during specified hours that correspond to school operations, including student arrival and departure times, and any other times when children are likely to be present. (2) "School Zone Signage" means official signs erected by the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works after consultation with the Virgin Islands Police Department. These signs indicate the beginning and end of a school speed zone, the applicable speed limit within the zone, and the hours of operation. The design, placement, and maintenance of these signs shall adhere to the standards established by the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works and any applicable federal guidelines. (3) "Pedestrian" means any person traveling on foot, wheelchair, bicycle, riding on an electric personal assistive device or similar means of non-vehicular movement, who may be using the roadway, sidewalks, crosswalks, or any paths adjacent to a school property within a school speed zone. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, shall establish the boundaries for each school to determine its school speed zones. School speed zones must: (1) be established in proximity to schools to enhance the safety of students and pedestrians during school hours and other designated times; and (2) be established based on assessment that considers the following criteria: (i) The proximity of school buildings to adjacent roadways; (ii) Pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns, including peak times coinciding with school hours; (iii) Historical accident data and reported near-misses involving students and vehicles; and (iv) Road geometry, visibility, and existing speed limits in the vicinity of schools. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

The Virgin Islands Police Department, along with all P.O.S.T. certified peace officers, are responsible for enforcing the reduced speed limits within school speed zones. But law enforcement officers who are authorized to issue citations may issue a citation to a motorist who violates the school speed zone limit. The Virgin Islands Police Department shall provide adequate personnel for school speed zones as part of its traffic and monitoring duties. School speed zones will be enforced during each school hours, and during official school events that may occur outside regular school hours, including weekends. Official school events include school-related sporting events, after-school programs, summer school sessions, parent- teacher conferences, graduation ceremonies, standardized testing, and Department of Education community events. Enforcement of speed zones during official school events is to protect students, staff, and attendees at all official school events. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) Any person found in violation of the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each infraction. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

Thirty-three and one-third percent of the fines collected from school zone speeding violations must be allocated to the Virgin Islands Police Department for traffic safety education programs, and improvements in school zone safety infrastructure and the remaining 33.3 percent of the fines must be allocated to the Department of Education to be used exclusively for career technical education schools, programs, or courses and 33.4 percent must be deposited into the District Public Road Fund. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

Islands Police Department Continuing Obligations The Virgin Islands Police Department shall use all available technology including speed cameras and radar to enforce school zone speed limits. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Police Department, shall conduct periodic reviews of school zone safety measures and propose adjustments as necessary and shall disseminate communication with the public about the penalties for speeding in school zones. The Department of Public Works shall erect and replace signage, install and maintain flashing lights, maintain crosswalks and the school speed zone infrastructure. History: Added Dec. 2, 2024, No. 8952, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

In case of accident to person or property due to the operation of a motor vehicle or bicycle, the person operating such vehicle shall stop and give his name and address and license number to the person injured, or to any policeman or other person interested, and if he is not the owner of the vehicle, also the name and address of such owner. He shall also report the details of such accident at the nearest police station. In case of personal injury, the motor vehicle causing such injury shall take the injured person or persons to the hospital, if desired, or the residence of such injured person.

Any person who is injured by a motor vehicle or whose property is damaged thereby shall have a lien against such motor vehicle for his claim of damages, if he records such lien with the Director of Motor Vehicles within a period of 8 days from the date of injury or damage and if he commences an action against the owner of the motor vehicle in a court of competent jurisdiction within a period of 30 days from the date of injury or damage. The transfer of the property in the motor vehicle during such period shall not divest the injured or damaged person of his right of lien thereon. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) Any nonresident who operates a motor vehicle in the Virgin Islands, and any nonresident who owns a motor vehicle which is operated in the Virgin Islands with his express or implied consent, shall be deemed to have appointed the Government Secretary of the Virgin Islands as his agent upon whom may be served the process in any action against him arising out of any accident or collision occurring within the Virgin Islands in which the motor vehicle is involved while being so operated. Such operation shall be a signification of the agreement by such nonresident that any process so served shall be of the same force and validity as if served upon him personally within the Virgin Islands. Such nonresident shall also be deemed to have agreed that such appointment shall be irrevocable and binding upon his executor or administrator. If the nonresident dies prior to the commencement of an action under this section, service of process shall be made on his executor or administrator in the same manner as that provided by this section for service upon the nonresident. (b) Service of process under this section shall be made upon the Government Secretary in the same manner as in civil actions generally, accompanied by a fee of $2, and when so made, such service shall be as effectual to all intents and purposes as if made personally upon the defendant in the Virgin Islands; provided, that not later than the day following the commencement of the action, a copy of the process, and notice that service of the original process has or soon will be made upon the Government Secretary, shall be sent by the plaintiff or his attorney to the defendant by registered mail with return receipt requested. The defendant's return receipt and the affidavit by plaintiff or his attorney that this section has been complied with shall be filed in the action within 10 days after the plaintiff receives the defendant's return receipt. If the notice and copy of the process are not received by the defendant, the court may order such additional notice, if any, as justice may require. The court may order such continuance as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. (c) The provisions of this section shall also apply to a resident who is absent from the Virgin Islands at the time of the accident or who departs from the Virgin Islands after the accident, and who remains absent therefrom continuously for a period of 30 days after the accident, whether such absence is intended to be temporary or permanent. (d) This section is an extension of, and not a limitation upon, any right otherwise existing to serve process by attachment or publication or otherwise.

(a) Whoever violates any provision of section 492 of this title, concerning reckless driving, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both. (b) Whoever violates any provision of section 493 of this title, concerning driving while intoxicated or disabled, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both for a first offense. For any subsequent violation of said section 493 such person shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than two years or both. (c) Whenever a person, who is charged with operating a motor vehicle upon any public road or highway in this territory without it being registered or licensed as required by section 331 of this title, or is charged with operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner as prohibited by section 492 of this title, or is charged with driving while intoxicated or disabled as prohibited by section 493 of this title, fails to appear in court on the date set for hearing, the court may order that the motor vehicle operated by said person be impounded for such time and on such terms and conditions as shall be fixed by the court. (d) Unless such act is punishable under section 1389 of Title 14, whoever violates any provision of section 541 of this title, concerning accidents, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. (e) Whoever violates any provision of section 497 of this title, concerning the standing or parking of a vehicle, shall be fined not more than $25 for each such violation; Provided, however, that any person who is found guilty or who had signed a plea of guilty to more than three violations of such section 497 in the same calendar year shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each subsequent violation within the same calendar year. (f) Unless another penalty is specifically provided, whoever violates any provision of this part, or any law or regulation relating to the operation and use of motor vehicles, shall be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. (g) None of the provisions of this part shall be construed as preventing conviction and punishment under any other provision of law. (h) Any person who violates any provision of section 495, subsection (h), of this title may be imprisoned for a term of not more than six (6) months or fined not more than $1,000 or both. (i) In addition to the penalties under subsection (h) of this section, the driver's license of a person convicted of a second offense under section 495(h) of this title shall be suspended for not more than one year. History: Amended Apr. 1, 1969, No. 2495, Sess. L. 1969, p. 205; July 1, 1976, No. 3835, § 1, Sess. L. 1976, p. 96; Feb. 4, 1982, No. 4681, §§ 1, 2, Sess. L. 1982, p. 36; Nov. 7, 1983, No. 4877, § 307(b), Sess. L. 1983, p. 229; Apr. 15, 1985, No. 5046, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1985, p. 4; July 14, 2003, No. 6585, § 15(b), Sess. L. 2003, p. 31.

Every moving violation ticket issued pursuant to chapters 43 and 45 of this title shall constitute a lien on the title of the motor vehicle upon which said moving violation ticket was placed, which lien shall continue in existence until the moving violation ticket is either paid or discharged according to law. The Clerk of the Superior Court shall notify the registered owner of the vehicle of the establishment of the lien as well as any other registered lien upon the vehicle. For purposes of this section, notification of the registered owner at his last known address, whether or not received by the addressee, shall constitute legal notice. The Clerk of the Superior Court shall keep a registry of the liens created pursuant to this section, which shall be open to the public. The contents of said registry and updates thereto shall periodically be transmitted to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. No motor vehicle shall be registered and licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 33 of this title, nor shall a change of ownership be registered by the Director pursuant to said chapter 33, until all liens created pursuant to this section have been discharged. History: Added Jan. 7, 1993, No. 5824, § 9, Sess. L. 1992, p. 173; amended Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

Except in the case of parking offenses, the court shall send a record of the conviction of any offense relating to the operation or use of motor vehicles to the Director of Motor Vehicles of the Virgin Islands and to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the State where the defendant received his operator's license, to become a part of his driving record. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

In addition to any other penalties, the court in its discretion may revoke the operator's license of any person convicted of an offense involving the operation or use of motor vehicles, except parking offenses. Such revocation may be either permanent or temporary for a period fixed by the court.

(a) The Director of Motor Vehicles shall keep a driving record for each holder of an operator's license containing the record of convictions transmitted to him under section 545 of this title. (b) The Director may refuse to issue an operator's license to any person on the basis of his convictions of offenses relating to the operation or use of motor vehicles during the preceding year. History: Amended June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

(a) The Director of Motor Vehicles may revoke or suspend any operator's license if he finds that the application therefor contained any false statement; or that the holder thereof is afflicted with mental or physical infirmities or disabilities rendering it unsafe for such person to operate a motor vehicle; or that the holder thereof is guilty of habitual or persistent violations of any of the provisions of this title; or that the holder thereof has attempted by offering a bribe or any other fraud, or by substitution of another person in his place to take or pass an examination for an operator's license; or where in the judgment of the Director the revocation or suspension of an operator's license is required in the urgent interests of public safety. (b) The Director of Motor Vehicles may revoke or suspend any registration license and license plates if he finds that the application therefor contained any false statement or that the motor vehicle is in an unsafe condition or is not equipped as required by chapter 41 of this title. History: Amended July 16, 1968, No. 2288, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 238; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

Before refusing to issue a license under section 541 of this title, and before revoking or suspending a license under section 548 of this title, the Director of Motor Vehicles shall grant a hearing to the person concerned. Any action of the Director under such sections shall be subject to review by the Superior Court. History: Amended Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, § 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197; June 15, 1984, No. 4964, § 1(b), Sess. L. 1984, p. 177; Oct. 27, 2005, No. 6761, § 3, Sess. L. 2005, p. 247.

Persons Under 18 Years of Age Whenever, after a hearing before the court, it shall be found that a person under the age of 18 years has violated any law or regulation relating to the use and operation of motor vehicles, the court may (a) impose a fine, not exceeding $100; (b) revoke the driver's license of such person, or suspend the same for such time as may be fixed by the court; and (c) order any motor vehicle owned or operated by such person to be impounded by the probation officer for such time, not exceeding 60 days, as shall be fixed by the court; Provided, however, That if the court shall find that the operation of such motor vehicle was without the consent of the owner, then such vehicle shall not be impounded. Upon nonpayment of any fine herein provided for, the court may order that any motor vehicle owned by said person or operated by said person with the consent of the owner shall be impounded until the fine shall be paid, or may order that the driver's license of such person shall be taken up and held by the probation officer until payment of said fine, or may cause both said motor vehicle and said driver's license to be taken up and impounded until such fine shall be paid; but no person under 18 years shall be committed to or held in any detention facility or jail by reason of nonpayment of such fine. History: Added Feb. 5, 1965, No. 1289, § 1, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 5; amended July 1, 1976, No. 3835, § 2, Sess. L. 1976, p. 96.

Whenever any person under the age of 18 shall violate any law or regulation relating to the use and operation of motor vehicles, a police officer may deliver to any such person a traffic ticket describing the nature of the offense with instructions thereon to report to the Superior court of the district wherein the offense occurred. Upon the appearance of a person under the age of 18 years before the court, the court shall, after hearing and investigation, take action as provided in section 550 of this title, or may dismiss the proceeding if it be found and determined that it is for the best interest of the person so to do. History: Added Feb. 5, 1965, No. 1289, § 2, Sess. L. 1965, Pt. I, p. 6, amended Sept. 9, 1976, No. 3876, § 5, Sess. L. 1976, p. 197.

The provisions of this chapter and its regulations relative to traffic shall be applicable to every driver of a motor vehicle in all parking areas open to the public, which parking areas shall be considered for the purposes of this chapter to be public highways. History: Added Jan. 19, 1971, No. 2925, Sess. L. 1970, p. 411; Feb. 12, 1971, No. 2930, § 5, Sess. L. 1970, p. 418.

Vehicle Cases (a) The total amount recoverable for non-economic damages for any injury to a person in an action arising out of a motor vehicle accident may not exceed $100,000; provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply upon a finding of gross negligence or willful conduct. (b) For the purposes of this section, non-economic damages include: (1) pain and suffering; (2) physical impairment; (3) disfigurement; and (4) other not-pecuniary damages recoverable under the tort laws of this Territory. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 26, Sess. L. 1999, p. 58; amended Apr. 12, 2008, No. 6998, § 1, Sess. L. 2008, p. 57.

No motor vehicle shall be registered except upon the filing by the owner of the vehicle with the Police Commissioner proof of coverage by a satisfactory "owner's" policy of liability insurance, in the manner provided in section 707 of this chapter. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

For the purposes of this chapter, a satisfactory policy of liability insurance means a policy issued by an insurance carrier admitted and duly authorized to transact business in the Virgin Islands, to or for the benefit of the person named therein as insured, which policy conforms to the further requirements of this chapter. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

An owner's policy of liability insurance, hereinafter referred to as the "motor vehicle liability policy": (a) shall designate by explicit description, or by other appropriate reference inclusive of the vehicle identification number, all vehicles with respect to which coverage is to be granted; and (b) shall insure the person named therein and any other person, as an insured, using any such vehicle or vehicles with the express or implied permission of such named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of such vehicle or vehicles in the Virgin Islands, subject to minimum coverage, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each vehicle, as follows: Bodily Injury One Person One Accident Bodily Injury Two or More Persons One Accident Property Damage One Accident (1) Private passenger vehicles, trucks with a carrying capacity of three quarter (3/4) ton or less and other passenger carrying vehicles not otherwise listed $10,000 $20,000 $10,000 (2) Taxicabs, with passenger capacity not exceeding nine, including driver; and rental vehicles $10,000 $25,000 $10,000 (3) Trucks with a carrying capacity exceeding three- quarter (3/4) ton and all other non-passenger vehicles $10,000 $25,000 $10,000 (4) Buses, except those upon which the Public Services Commission requires higher minimum coverage, with passenger capacity of ten or more, including driver $10,000 $50,000 $10,000 (5) Motorcycles and other two or three-wheeled motorized vehicles $10,000 $20,000 $10,000 History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

(a) The motor vehicles liability policy shall state the name and address of the named insured, the coverage afforded by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the policy period, and the limits of liability, and shall contain an agreement or be endorsed that insurance is provided thereunder in accordance with the coverage defined in this chapter with respect to bodily injury and death or property damage, or both, and is subject to all provisions of this chapter. (b) The motor vehicle liability policy shall not be required to insure any liability under any workmen's compensation law nor any liability on account of bodily injury to, or death of, an employee of the insured while engaged in the employment, other than domestic, of the insured, or while engaged in the operation, maintenance or repair of any such vehicle nor any liability for damage to property owned by, rented to, in charge of, or transported by the insured. (c) The motor vehicle liability policy shall be subject to the following provisions which need not be contained therein: (1) Policies may not be canceled or annulled with respect to an accident or occurrence which took place prior to the cancellation or annulment. (2) The satisfaction by the insured of a judgment for such injury or damage shall not be a condition precedent to the right or duty of the insurance carrier to make payment on account of such injury or damage. (3) The policy, the written application therefor, if any, and any rider or endorsement which does not conflict with the provisions of this Chapter shall constitute the entire contract between the parties. (4) The legal status of a person who has obtained an operator's license under 20 V.I.C. § 385 may not be considered as part of any of the insurer's underwriting requirements, nor may a policy be denied, canceled, or annulled based on a person's legal status in the Virgin Islands. (d) Any policy which grants the coverage required for a motor vehicle liability policy may also grant any lawful coverage in excess of, or in addition to, the coverage specified for a motor vehicle liability policy and such excess or additional coverage shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter. With respect to a policy which grants such excess or additional coverage, the term "motor vehicle liability policy" shall apply to that part of the coverage which is required by this section. (e) Any motor vehicle liability policy may provide for the prorating of the insurance thereunder with other valid and collectible insurance; and nothing in this section shall prevent an insured from collecting under any other valid insurance policy, regardless of whether such policy complies with the provisions of this chapter. (f) Any binder issued pending the issuance of a motor vehicle liability policy shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements for such a policy. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49; amended Jan. 20, 2024, No. 8790, § 2, Sess. L. 2023, p. 180.

License (a) (1) When an insurance carrier has certified a motor vehicle liability policy in the manner provided in section 707 of this chapter, the insurer shall not cancel or otherwise terminate the insurance so certified until: (i) notice of cancellation has been provided to the insured in accordance with the provisions of Title 22, section 827, Virgin Islands Code; and (ii)Virgin Islands Codeen (15) days have elapsed since a notice of cancellation has been sent by certified mail to all parties concerned, including but not limited to the Police Commissioner. (2) Upon receipt of a notice of cancellation from an insurer, or upon proof from other sufficient evidence that the required insurance has not been provided or maintained for a motor vehicle, the Police Commissioner shall immediately suspend the registration of such vehicle. (3) Upon notice of suspension of the registration of a vehicle, the owner shall return the registration sticker, registration license and license plate, as well as the insurance sticker mandated by section 708 hereof, to the Police Commissioner, Motor Vehicle Bureau, or produce proof of valid insurance. Notice is complete upon the expiration of four (4) days after deposit of such notice in the mail. No person shall possess or display a registration license, registration sticker, insurance sticker or license plate that has been suspended. (4) Upon the suspension of the registration of a vehicle and after due notice has been given, the Police Commissioner may cause to have removed the license plate, registration sticker and insurance sticker from the vehicle. (5) Any person whose vehicle registration has been suspended under this section shall pay a fee of $50.00 at the end of such suspension for return of the insurance sticker, registration sticker, license plate, and registration license. (b) When an insured has filed with the Police Commissioner a motor vehicle liability policy pursuant to the terms of section 707 of this chapter, the insured shall not cancel the policy until (i) the sticker required by section 708 of this chapter has been returned to the Motor Vehicles Bureau; and (ii) a copy of the insured's canceled motor vehicle registration license has been provided to the insurance company or its agent. (c) An insurance company or its agent shall not be obligated to refund any unearned premium for cancellation of a policy unless the insured has complied with the provisions of subsections (a)(3) or (b) of this Section. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

This chapter shall not be held to apply to or affect policies insuring solely the insured named in the policy against liability resulting from the maintenance or use by persons in the insured's employ, or on his behalf, of vehicles not owned by the insured. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

Proof of coverage by satisfactory liability insurance shall be furnished by filing with the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the written certificates of any insurance carrier admitted and duly authorized to do business in the Virgin Islands, certifying that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of coverage by satisfactory liability insurance. Such certificate, the form of which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner of Insurance, shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference all vehicles covered thereby, and shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall (i) be the same as or earlier than the effective date of the certificate, and (ii) terminate upon the policy's expiration; provided, however that the policy shall provide coverage for at least one (1) year. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49; amended Oct. 7, 2011, No. 7305, § 1, Sess. L. 2011, p. 202.

(a) In addition to the filing of a certificate of insurance pursuant to section 707 of this chapter, the owner of a motor vehicle who is required to provide proof of insurance for the registration or operation of such vehicle shall, upon lawful request, show proof that the vehicle is covered by the required insurance. Such proof of insurance shall be in the form of an insurance card issued by an authorized insurance agent. (b) A temporary insurance card may be presented for a period to exceed (30) days during which time the owner of the vehicle shall secure proof of insurance as required by subsection (a). Temporary insurance cards shall be issued only by the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or an authorized motor vehicles dealer when a valid insurance policy or binder is in effect. (c) The form, content and manner of display of temporary cards shall be prescribed by the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by regulation. (d) All insurance cards issued pursuant to this section shall be the property of the issuer and shall be presented by the owner to the vehicle covered by the required insurance only during such time as the insurance which it represents remains in full force and effect. Every vehicle owner shall immediately remove from such vehicle any insurance card representing insurance which he knows, or has reason to know, has been terminated, canceled, impaired, or is otherwise ineffective. Such knowledge may be inferred from evidence of the notice required in Title 22, section 827, Virgin Islands Code. (e) The owner of any vehicle who has insurance in force and has been issued an insurance card required by subsection (a) of this section, but who fails to present the card upon a lawful request shall be fined not more than $50.00. (f) The owner of any vehicle who fails to remove an insurance card when he knows, or has reason to know that the insurance it represents is not in full force and effect shall be fined not less than $50.00, nor more than $500.00, and may be imprisoned not more than 90 days. (g) The owner of any motor vehicle who presents an insurance card which he knows, or has reason to know is fraudulent or counterfeit, or which he knows, or has reason to know, belongs to another vehicle, shall be fined not less than $250.00 nor more than $1,000.00, and may be imprisoned not more than 6 months. (h) Any person who manufactures, produces, distributes or transfers any false, fraudulent, counterfeit, or otherwise invalid insurance card which purports to be a card required by subsection (a) of this section shall be fined for each such card distributed not less than $500.00, nor more than $2,000.00, and may be imprisoned not more than 2 years. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49; amended Oct. 7, 2011, No. 7305, § 2(a), (b) (1), (2), (c), (d), (e) (1), (2), (f)(1), (2), (g)(1), (2), (h)(1), (2), (i), (j), Sess. L. 2011, pp. 202-204.

The Commissioner of Insurance, charged with the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, shall be authorized to: (a) Require filing with his office by insurance carriers admitted and duly authorized to do business in the Virgin Islands such rates, rating plans, rating schedules and every other rating rule or modification which the carriers are using or proposing to use for motor vehicle liability insurance under the provisions of this chapter. (b) Establish surcharges for high risk drivers in accordance with the moving violations point system, as well as provide guidelines for the application of discount points and incentives for insureds with good driving records. (c) Make such reasonable rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter, necessary to effect the purposes thereof. (d) Adopt rules requiring insurers to provide a ten percent discount in premium rates for motorcycle liability insurance to qualified, licensed motorcycle operator upon proof of successful completion of an approved Virgin Islands Motorcycle Safety Education Program. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49; amended July 3, 2009, No. 7077, § 5, Sess. L. 2009, p. 123.

This chapter shall not apply with respect to any accident, or judgment arising therefrom, or violation of the motor vehicle laws of the Virgin Islands, occurring prior to the effective date of this chapter; provided, however, that insurers are not precluded from imposing surcharges in accordance with previously filed or subsequently filed and approved rates. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing the plaintiff in any action of law, from relying for relief upon any other remedy provided by law. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

Penalties Any owner or registrant of a motor vehicle registered in this territory who operates or causes to be operated, a motor vehicle upon any public road or highway in this territory without motor vehicle liability insurance coverage required by this chapter and any other who operates or causes a motor vehicle to be operated and who knows or should know from the attendant circumstances that the motor vehicle is without motor vehicle liability insurance coverage required by this chapter shall be subject, for the first offense, to a fine of not less than $250.00, nor more than $500.00. Upon subsequent conviction, he shall be fined not less than $500.00, nor more than $1,000.00, and shall forfeit his right to operate a motor vehicle upon the roads and highways of this territory for a period of not less than thirty (30) days, or more than two (2) years from the date of his conviction. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to motor vehicles owned by either the Government of the Virgin Islands and its instrumentalities, or the United States Government; however, such exemption shall not alter in any way any tort liability which may be established against either of the governments. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 24, Sess. L. 1999, p. 49.

As used in this chapter: (a) "Abandoned motor vehicle" means abandoned motor vehicle as defined in section 742. (b) "Department" means the Virgin Islands Police Department. (c) "Derelict motor vehicle" means derelict motor vehicle as defined in section 743. (d) "Motor vehicle" or "vehicle" means a motor vehicle or a trailer. (e) "Owner" means the registered owner, the owner as recorded on the title, lessor, lessee, security interest holders, and all lien holders as shown on the records of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (f) "Vehicle constituting a hazard or obstruction" means a vehicle constituting a hazard or obstruction as defined in section 744. (g) "Antique car" means a motor vehicle manufactured in 1975 or earlier, either as a display vehicle or restored to conform with the original manufacturer's specifications. (h) "Classic car" means a motor vehicle manufactured in 1990 or earlier. (i) "Vintage car" means a motor vehicle manufactured between 1915 and 1930, either as a display vehicle or restored to conform with the original manufacturer's specifications. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) An abandoned motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that is presumed to be abandoned under any of the following circumstances: (1) The vehicle is left unattended and remained illegally on or along a highway, roadside or other public property for more than 72 hours and does not bear all of the following: (A) A valid registration sticker; (B) A valid license plate; and (C) An ascertainable vehicle identification number. (2) The registered vehicle is left unattended and remained illegally on or along a highway, roadside or other public property for more than 72 hours. (3) (a) A motor vehicle is abandoned if it is left unattended on privately owned property for more than 60 days, or if it is left on the property without the owner's permission. (b) A private property owner may presume a vehicle is abandoned under subsection (a) and may claim ownership if: (1) The property owner provides notice of the claim to the vehicle's owner of record and any lienholders, as prescribed by the Virgin Islands Police Department's regulations or section 743 of this chapter. (2) The notice states the vehicle's location, the period of abandonment, and the owner's intent to claim title. (c) If the owner or lienholder cannot be located, notice shall be given by publication in a manner consistent with the Rules of the Superior Court for service by publication. (d) If the vehicle is not reclaimed within 30 days of notice as required in subsection (b), ownership of the vehicle vests with the private property owner. Upon application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the private property owner shall receive a new certificate of title for the vehicle. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) A derelict motor vehicle is a vehicle that: (1) is inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 72 hours; (2) is inoperable and is intentionally kept in an area on private property that is not an enclosed garage or storage building; (3) is missing a vehicle identification number, license plates and any other means of identification that nullify efforts to locate or identify the registered and legal owner; (4) is more than 12 years old and does not bear a current license tag as required by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; or (5) is being repaired on public streets. (b) The following vehicles are not considered derelict motor vehicles: (1) Vehicles on the premises of junk yards or automobile graveyards that are licensed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs; (2) A vehicle being held for storage by agreement or being held under police authority or pursuant to a writ or court order; or (3) Classic, vintage, and antique cars that have a current annual permit from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (c) For purposes of this section, "inoperable" means that the vehicle is in a condition such that it has no substantial potential for further use consistent with its usual functions. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) A vehicle constituting a hazard or obstruction is a motor vehicle that is parked or left standing unattended on a road or highway right of way and that is in such a location as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to motor vehicle traffic using the road or highway. (b) As used in this section, a "hazard or obstruction" includes: (1) Any vehicle that is parked so that any part of the vehicle extends within the paved portion of the travel lane. (2) Any vehicle that is parked so that any part of the vehicle extends within the road shoulder of any road: (A) at any time if the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less; (B) during the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. if the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds; or (C) during or into the period between sunset and sunrise if the vehicle presents a clear danger. "Hazard or obstruction" does not include parking in a designated parking area along any road or, parking temporarily on the shoulder of the highway as indicated by a short passage of time and by the operation of the hazard lights of the vehicle, the raised hood of the vehicle, or advance warning with emergency flares or emergency signs. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) An abandoned or derelict motor vehicle or a vehicle constituting a hazard or obstruction may be taken into custody and towed by the Department. (b) The owners of vehicles towed under this section is responsible for all towing and storage charges. (c) Vehicles taken into custody under this section may be subject to a lien. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

The Department may use its own personnel, equipment and facilities for the towing and preservation of abandoned vehicles or hire or otherwise engage other personnel, equipment and facilities for that purpose. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

(a) Any owner who abandons a motor vehicle commits the offense of abandoning a motor vehicle. Any owner who fails to properly dispose of a derelict vehicle commits the offense of failure to properly dispose of a derelict vehicle. Both offenses are punishable as follows: (1) For a first offense, by a fine not to exceed $500 and non-renewal of the owner driver's license until the fine is paid; (2) For a second offense, by a fine not to exceed $2,500, suspension of the owner driver's license for six months, and no reinstatement of the driver's license until the fine is paid; and (3) For a third and subsequent offense, by a fine not to exceed $5,000, suspension of the owner driver's license for one year, and no reinstatement of the driver's license until the fine is paid. (b) In addition to the penalties set forth in subsection (a), the owner shall pay any additional costs for the towing, storing, and disposal of the vehicle. (c) In addition to the penalties set forth in subsections (a) and (b), the owner may also be prohibited from registering or licensing another vehicle until all fees are paid. (d) A private property owner who improperly claims ownership of a vehicle under section 742(a)(3) may be subject to penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 and forfeiture of rights to claim title to the vehicle. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

The Virgin Islands Police Department shall issue Public Service Announcements throughout the year on the laws regarding abandoned and derelict motor vehicles and motor vehicles constituting a hazard or obstruction. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. -.

The Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department shall establish regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this chapter. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall establish fees and regulations specifically for classic, vintage, and antique cars that are not intended to be operated on public roads. History: Added Dec. 18, 2024, No. 8955, § 1, Sess. L. 2024, p. .

(a) For purposes of this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) "Glazing materials" means material used in or on windshields, side or back windows of motor vehicles; (2) "Tinting" means any process applied to glazing material that reduces the amount of visible light that passes through the material and is known by the technical term "luminous transmittance". (3) "Director" means the Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and (4) "Windshield" means the safety glass installed in a motor vehicle immediately in front of the driver and the front seat passengers. (5) "Window" means any opening in a motor vehicle covered with glass or other lawful material, excluding the windshield, through which passengers and drivers may view events outside of the motor vehicle. (6) "Mirrored tint" means any reflective glazing material. (7) "AS-1 line" means a line extending from the letters and number AS-1 found on most motor vehicle windshields running parallel to the top of the windshield or, it may mean a line five inches below and parallel to the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. (b) Sun screening devices or other tinting materials applied to the windshield or windows of motor vehicles are prohibited, except as provided in this section. (1) It is unlawful for any person to operate or park a motor vehicle on any public road or highway of the Virgin Islands while the motor vehicle has windows that are tinted with glazed material to the extent that visible light transmittance is reduced to less than 35%, when measured by a device designed specifically for that purpose and approved by the Director or Police Commissioner and operated by an employee of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or Virgin Islands Police Department trained in the use of the device. However, the windshield of a motor vehicle may be tinted with glazing material only above the AS-1 line, or within five inches from the top of the windshield. The glazing material may not reduce visible light transmittance to less than 35%. Mirrored tint is prohibited on all windows and windshields. (2) This subsection does not apply to: (A) any hearse, ambulance, law enforcement vehicle, duly licensed limousine services or other vehicle as prescribed by the rules promulgated by the Director; (c) Motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window areas equipped in accordance with specifications of 49 CFR571.205 as authorized by 15 U.S.C. 1407 shall be in compliance with this section. However, no additional glazing material may be added to the windshield or windows which reduce visible light transmittance below 35%. (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, glazing or tinting materials may be used in official government vehicles designated by the Director for dignitary protection, jurors' transportation, or other official purposes in order to ensure the security and safety of the occupants. (e) Any person who violates the provisions of this section, for a first violation, shall be fined not more than $200. Any person convicted of a second violation shall be fined not less than $200 and not more than $500. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation may be fined not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 and shall have his driver's license suspended for not more than one year. History: Added Sept. 5, 2005, No. 6730, § 16, Sess. L. 2005, pp. 74-76; amended Oct. 1, 2005, No. 6750, § 5, Sess. L. 2005, p. 213; Aug. 31, 2005, No. 6755, § 3 1.-7., Sess. L. 2005, p. 228; Oct. 17, 2005, No. 6793, § 6, Sess. L. 2005, p. 354; Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(d)(1), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453; May 3, 2010, No. 7168, § 12(a), (b), Sess. L. 2010, p. 64.

(a) A system shall be established to improve highway safety by identifying those drivers whose have repeatedly been convicted of moving violations. The system shall encompass a procedure by which every person convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation shall be assessed one (1) or more violation points according to the schedule set forth in section 803. A person who accumulates twelve (12) or more violation points at any time shall have his driving privileges suspended for a period of not less than six (6) months upon petition to the Court by the Director, Bureau of Motor Vehicles; provided, however, that points shall not be tallied for violations occurring more than three years prior thereto. A suspension under this subsection shall be in addition to any other suspension of driving privileges required by the Virgin Islands Code; provided, however, that such suspensions may run concurrently. Subsequent to the six-month suspension of driving privileges and upon reinstatement thereof, a person's total point count shall be reduced to zero. (b) If a person is not convicted of any moving violations during a calendar year, the Director, Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall deduct three (3) points from that person's total. A maximum of three (3) points may be deducted in any calendar year. However, such a deduction may not reduce the person's total point count to less than zero. (c) In addition to the penalties set forth in subsection (a) above, any person convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation which results in an accident shall pay a $25.00 fee and participate in a three (3) hour driving education course to be administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The course shall be taught by certified driving instructors at facilities operated by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or a certified driving school; provided, however, that no instructor shall be hired as a full-time government employee for the purposes of this subsection. Instructors shall be paid a per diem of $75.00 from monies appropriated from the Personalized License Plate Fund, established pursuant to Title 33, section 3065, Virgin Islands Code. Upon the successful completion of the driver education course, each participant shall be issued a Driver's Certificate evidencing participation in the program and shall have four (4) points deducted from his accumulated total. The Director, Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall establish rules and regulations for the administration of the driver education course, inclusive of criteria pertinent to the certification of the course's instructors. (d) Any person convicted of a moving violation which does not result in an accident, may voluntarily participate in the driver's education course set forth above upon payment of the $25.00 fee. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, the moving violation charged will be expunged from the driver's record; provided, however, that a driver may have only one conviction expunged from his record within a twelve-month period. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 29, Sess. L. 1999, p. 59; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(d) (1), (2), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

The Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall, upon payment of a reasonable fee to be determined by the Director, certify to any person the number of violations points accumulated by that person, or any other person during the previous three (3) years. Such certification shall include any reduction in violation points to which the person is entitled. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 29, Sess. L. 1999, p. 59; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(d) (1), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

The following number of violation points shall be assessed against persons convicted of motor vehicle moving violations under this Code, or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to this Code: 1. Carrying more than one (1) person on a motorcycle designed for one (1)-Title 20, Section 465(d), Virgin Islands Code 2 points 2. Operating a motorcycle without a protective helmet-Title 20, Section 465(e), Virgin Islands Code 2 points 3. Title 20, Section 466, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Failure to wear safety belt 3 points (b) Failure to restrain an infant or a toddler under the age of five by use of a specially designed seat 6 points 4. Failure to obey the direction of a police officer-Title 20, Section 491(b), Virgin Islands Code 3 points 5. Failure to observe traffic signals- Title 20, Rules and Regulations 491-252, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 6. Failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk; and passing a vehicle yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk-Title 20, Rules and Regulations 491-252 and 491-283, Virgin Islands Code 3 points 7. Operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner-Title 20, Section 492, Virgin Islands Code 9 points 8. Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances-Title 20, Section 493, Virgin Islands Code 12 points 9. Exceeding the speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more-Title 20, Section 494, Virgin Islands Code 10 points (a) Exceeding the speed limit by fifteen (15) miles per hour but not more than twenty-nine (29) miles per hour 8 points (b) Exceeding the speed limit by not more than fourteen (14) miles per hour 4 points 10. Failure to drive at a minimum speed-Title 20, Section 494a, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 11. Meeting; passing; turning; signals-Title 20, Section 495, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Failure to keep left 3 points (b) Improper passing 3 points (c) Improper turns 3 points (d) Failure to signal 3 points (e) Improper passing of a school bus 8 points 12. Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle-Title 20, Section 495a, Virgin Islands Code 3 points 13. Operating a motor vehicle with an excess number of passengers; riding outside vehicle-Title 20, Section 498, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 14. Failure of a motor vehicle to meet load, height and width requirements-Title 20, Section 500, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 15. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle-Title 20, Section 503, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-no accident involved 3 points (b) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-property damage involved 4 points (c) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-injury involved but not property damage 6 points (d) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-property damage and injury involved 8 points 16. Negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle-Title 20, Section 504, Virgin Islands Code 12 points 17. Accidents-Title 20, Section 541, Virgin Islands Code 8 points (a) Leaving the scene of an accident which does not result in personal injury 8 points (b) Leaving the scene of an accident which results in personal injury 12 points 18. For any other moving violation of which the driver is convicted under the provisions of the Virgin Islands Code or the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations 2 points 1. Carrying more than one (1) person on a motorcycle designed for one (1)-Title 20, Section 465(d), Virgin Islands Code 2 points 2. Operating a motorcycle without a protective helmet-Title 20, Section 465(e), Virgin Islands Code 2 points 3. Title 20, Section 466, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Failure to wear safety belt 3 points (b) Failure to restrain an infant or a toddler under the age of five by use of a specially designed seat 6 points 4. Failure to obey the direction of a police officer-Title 20, Section 491(b), Virgin Islands Code 3 points 5. Failure to observe traffic signals- Title 20, Rules and Regulations 491-252, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 6. Failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk; and passing a vehicle yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk- Title 20, Rules and Regulations 491-252 and 491-283, Virgin Islands Code 3 points 7. Operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner-Title 20, Section 492, Virgin Islands Code 9 points 8. Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances-Title 20, Section 493, Virgin Islands Code 12 points 9. Exceeding the speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more-Title 20, Section 494, Virgin Islands Code 10 points (a) Exceeding the speed limit by fifteen (15) miles per hour but not more than twenty-nine (29) miles per hour 8 points (b) Exceeding the speed limit by not more than fourteen (14) miles per hour 4 points 10. Failure to drive at a minimum speed-Title 20, Section 494a, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 11. Meeting; passing; turning; signals-Title 20, Section 495, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Failure to keep left 3 points (b) Improper passing 3 points (c) Improper turns 3 points (d) Failure to signal 3 points (e) Improper passing of a school bus 8 points 12. Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle-Title 20, Section 495a, Virgin Islands Code 3 points 13. Operating a motor vehicle with an excess number of passengers; riding outside vehicle-Title 20, Section 498, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 14. Failure of a motor vehicle to meet load, height and width requirements-Title 20, Section 500, Virgin Islands Code 2 points 15. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle-Title 20, Section 503, Virgin Islands Code: (a) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-no accident involved 3 points (b) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-property damage involved 4 points (c) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-injury involved but not property damage 6 points (d) Operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner-property damage and injury involved 8 points 16. Negligent homicide by means of a motor vehicle-Title 20, Section 504, Virgin Islands Code 12 points 17. Accidents-Title 20, Section 541, Virgin Islands Code 8 points (a) Leaving the scene of an accident which does not result in personal injury 8 points (b) Leaving the scene of an accident which results in personal injury 12 points 18. For any other moving violation of which the driver is convicted under the provisions of the Virgin Islands Code or the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations 2 points History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 29, Sess. L. 1999, p. 59.

All fees collected pursuant to this chapter, as well as those collected in accordance with Chapter 47 of Title 20, shall be deposited in the Personalized License Plate Fund, established pursuant to Title 33, section 3065, Virgin Islands Code. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 29, Sess. L. 1999, p. 59; amended Jan. 9, 2009, No. 7058, § 2(d) (1), Sess. L. 2008, p. 453.

Points shall not be assessed with respect to any violation of the motor vehicle laws of the Virgin Islands, occurring prior to the effective date of this chapter. History: Added Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 29, Sess. L. 1999, p. 59.

The Territory hereby adopts the following parts of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Subtitle B, except as modified by this subchapter: Part 107, subparts F and G only; Part 171; Part 172; Part 173; Part 177; Part 178; Part 180; Part 390; Part 391; Part 392; Part 393; Part 395; Part 396; and Part 397, as currently codified or as hereinafter amended. (a) Notwithstanding the adoption of the laws and regulations as indicated in subsection (a) of this section, no requirements under this subchapter shall apply to any single vehicle or a vehicle in combination operated in intrastate commerce; provided that, neither the gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight, nor gross combination weight rating of the vehicle equals or exceeds 26,001 pounds, except for: (1) A vehicle being used to transport hazards materials of a type or quantity that requires the vehicle to be marked or placarded in accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations; or (2) A vehicle designed or used to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. History: Added Sept. 4, 2012, No. 7384, § 2, Sess. L. 2012, p. 181-182.

Requirements-Personnel Authorized to Perform Inspections Every special agent of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Virgin Islands Police Department, other sworn police officers, and the size and weight enforcement technicians of the Virgin Islands Police Department through the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety, working in conjunction with and in the physical presence of a uniformed police officer, are hereby authorized to enter and perform inspections of any motor vehicle, cargo, and driver of any motor carrier for compliance with safety regulations adopted pursuant to this subchapter. History: Added Sept. 4, 2012, No. 7384, § 3, Sess. L. 2012, p. 182.

Enforcing Federal Requirements (a) Any motor carrier, as defined in § 900, shall permit auditors, accountants, law enforcement officers, examiners, and other authorized agents of the Government of the Virgin Islands to examine vehicle loads, terminals, buildings, equipment, and other facilities, and examine copy books, records, accounts, bills of lading, load sheets, manifests, correspondence, and other records of the motor carrier's operations relating to the transportation of property or passengers. (b) All motor carriers, as defined in § 900, shall instruct their employees, drivers, and agents to cooperate with government employees conducting examinations pursuant to subsection (a). History: Added Sept. 4, 2012, No. 7384, § 4, Sess. L. 2012, p. 182-183.