IRD: Re-Design of Number Plates for Taxis and Bus

IRD IMPROVING THE LIFE OF SOLOMON ISLANDERS Inland Revenue Division Solomon Islands 

Re-Design of Number Plates for Taxis and Buses

2014, Inland Revenue has made significant improvements to the way vehicle registrations, driver’s licences and number plates are managed in the Solomon Islands. As part of these changes the format and style of vehicle number plates was changed.

The original design was that public service vehicles would have the same colour and style number plates as privately operated vehicles. This approach means that no obvious difference when a public service (taxi, bus) vehicle is viewed alongside a privately operated vehicle.

There have been many expressions of concern over this situation from the public, police, inspectors and examiner’s, insurers, and the taxi and bus industry. In response Inland Revenue, with consultation with RSIPF and MID, have taken steps to introduce differentiated number plates for public service (Taxi, bus) vehicle is viewed alongside a privately operated vehicle.

There have been many expressions of concern over this situation from the public, police, inspectors and examiners, insurers, and the taxi and bus industry. In response Inland Revenue, with consultation with RSIPF and MID, have taken steps to introduce differentiated number plates for public service (taxis and buses) vehicles. The new plates are blue on a white background and red brown on a white background for Taxi and Buses respectively.

Inland Revenue will begin issuing new vehicle number plates from 15th March 2021.

•For newly imported vehicles, the new plates will be issued when the vehicle is first registered. The fee for the new vehicles, the new plates will be issued when the vehicle is first registered. The fee for the new vehicle plates will be $200.

•For existing buses and taxis, the new plates will be issued to vehicle owners when they renew the vehicles license. Where the new plates are placing existing plates, there is no fee, but the old plate must be handed in.

If you are the owner of an existing bus or taxi you don’t need to do anything now – Inland Revenue will issue the new plates when you visit our Vehicle Licensing counter to renew your vehicle license and hand in your old plates.

The Change in number plates for public service vehicle will have the following outcome and benefits

•The primary outcome of the project is to improve public safety – the change will help reassure the public hat the vehicle (taxi, bus) they are entering is registered as a public service vehicle.

•HCC will be benefited where proper record on Public usage vehicle will be issued for their revenue forecast on Annual Business License collection

•Give incentive to the transport industry to comply with business licence, vehicle license and taxation obligations (as a differentiated number plate will not be issued unless the operator has a business license etc).

•In the next three months, IRD will commence registering other vehicles who provide services to the public such as – truck hires, rental car business and side lift trucks.

Inland Revenue Division P.O Box G9|Honiara Solomon Islands Phone 21493 |Fax 22369| www.ird.gov.sb

IRD is a Division of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury