VTS reminds vehicle owners about Covid-19 measures and other issues |27 January 2022
Mr Denis shows the press what a standard number plate should look like. He was accompanied by Hans Albert during the press conference (Photo: Jude Morel)
Vehicle owners are being reminded to have the standardised numbers, as prescribed by the law, on their vehicle number plates to avoid that their vehicles fail the roadworthiness test.
The statement was made by road transport commissioner, Wilson Denis, in a press conference held at the department of Land Transport, Quadrant building, yesterday morning, in regards to measures being further intensified at the Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) in relation to Covid-19.
Also present was the new manager of the station, Hans Albert.
The statement follows complaints by vehicle owners who have had their vehicles failed the roadworthiness test due to other types of slanting or other italic designed numbers, written on their number plates, seen as not compliant with the law.
According to Mr Denis, the numbers on the plate should be straight, 7.5 cm in height, 1.25 cm in width and the spacing between each number should be 1.25 cm.
He explained that the reason behind insisting on the standardised numbers is that they are visible and easy to read at a distance, especially to other agencies which would like to verify the numbers for security reasons or otherwise.
For public and commercial vehicles, the number should be in black on a white background while for private vehicles, the number should be in white on a black background. The number plate must also be kept clean and visible.
Speaking on VTS’ operation in relation to Covid-19, Mr Albert said that with the ongoing pandemic, the station is still operating under the precautionary measures it introduced in March 2020, whereby vehicle testing are being conducted on a strictly appointment basis while no walk-in clients will be entertained. The number to call for an appointment is 4322263.
He said that the eight vehicle examiners are working in groups of four on alternate days on eight vehicles, allowed inside the compound at any one time, and vehicle owners have to book one month in advance to avoid disappointment. He added that the measures to limit the number of staff on compound is for continued supply in the service and also to reduce the number of interactions and contact with clients as a means of protecting both staff and the public at large in view of the Covid-19 restrictions.
He called for only the driver to be present for the road test to limit physical contact in regards to the Covid-19 restriction measures.
Mr Albert noted that VTS will also not accept pre-payment for test, as has been the case in the past, as it is not in conformity with the financial law. Payment for test will be made on the day the test is to be conducted.
He also advised clients to ensure that their vehicles are clean as if it is not the case, VTS may refuse to perform the roadworthiness test to protect the health of its staff.
He noted that some vehicle owners come with very dirty vehicles (some that have transported animals for example) and he said it is not hygienic for staff to work in such condition especially if they have to perform tests on other vehicles.
He also called on vehicle owners to ensure they have a valid insurance coverage prior to performing roadworthiness tests.
He said that VTS has also put in place internal mechanisms to eliminate possible corrupt practices and the management is advising all vehicle owners to remove all their personal belongings, including cash, in their vehicles prior to performing the test as they will not be responsible for damage or loss.
Mr Albert stated that vehicles that fail the road test are allowed to come in for a re-test any day in the afternoon within the one month given for repair.
He also advised owners of new vehicles to call in anytime in the afternoon for registration of their vehicles.
He said that owners of vehicles with tinted windows will have to show proof of their permission for the tinted windows, on site, or else their vehicles will fail the roadworthiness test.
Apart from examining vehicles to ensure roadworthiness and issuing roadworthiness certificate for a road license by the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA), VTS also registers new and second hand vehicles, prepare accident reports upon request by the police and other bodies and also conduct inspections for import permit requests with regard to vehicle body parts.
Mr Denis said that VTS is in the process of acquiring new equipment to improve testing of vehicles and it is further working on making it possible for bookings to be made online.
He added that a plan is being designed for the construction of a VTS on Praslin.
On Mahé, VTS operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 3.30pm with a lunch break from 12pm to 1pm. Depending on the number of vehicles, VTS staff on Mahé travel to Praslin for vehicle testing, among other duties, every Friday morning until 2.30pm while the visit to La Digue is every two months.
Patrick Joubert