JAMAICA IMPLEMENTS ELECTRONIC MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES (EMVRC)

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), which has responsibility for the registration of motor vehicles, on July 21, 2025 successfully implemented the Government of Jamaica’s new Electronic Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate (eMVRC). This fundamental change to now issue an eMVRC, supported by legislative change to the Road Traffic Act, is the digital replacement for the paper Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate and the physical licence decal, previously issued to confirm that a vehicle is legally licensed and registered under Jamaica’s motor vehicle licensing regime.

How the system works

• Issuance method: The eMVRC is generated electronically through a secure Certificate Generation and Delivery Service (CGDS) Portal that can be accessed through the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) website; the certificate is available for download, saving, or printing after issuance.

• Email requirement: A valid email address is required for every transaction, whether completed online or in-person; instructions and links to retrieve the eMVRC are sent to that email.

• Online vs in-person: Private vehicles with white plates can be renewed online; other vehicle classes or vehicles with licence arrears must complete transactions in person at a tax office. Work is in progress to enhance the online option to include other classes of vehicles.

Key changes to licensing options and limitations

• New licence duration: In addition to previously existing 6-month and 12-month licences, a 24-month option is now available for motorists who want longer coverage when licensing their vehicle.

• Cost structure: The annual licence fee structure remains proportional: 50% for 6 months, 100% for 12 months, and 200% for 24 months.

• Restrictions: New vehicle registrations must still be completed in person; vehicles with arrears or non-private plate categories, such commercial and public passenger vehicles, cannot use the online renewal service and must visit a tax office.

Renewal of Motor Vehicle Registration Online

With the implementation of the eMVRC, owners of private motor vehicles are able to conveniently renew their motor vehicle registration online, as they no longer have to pick-up a physical registration certificate and sticker. This means that owners of private motor vehicles can use the TAJ Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate Online renewal service to make a payment online for the renewal of their registration. The system is configured to allow for online renewal to be done up to 90 days before the expiration date or up to eleven (11) months after the expiration date.

Through public-private sector partnership, the renewal of a motor vehicle registration using the online service will only be available to motorists if their motor vehicle fitness and insurance certificates are validated electronically, through system interfaces with data shared from the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) and the systems of the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ).

In just two months since the July 21, 2025 introduction of the eMVRC, the data is reflecting a higher take up of the online renewal of private motor vehicle registration service, with the ‘Virtual Tax Office” reporting a 70% higher number of transactions than the closest physical Tax Office.

Promotions & Operations Support

A comprehensive public awareness campaign, utilising traditional, social and digital media channels, direct messaging, engaging webinars and pod casts, as well as dedicated banking hall management and dedicated support at Tax Offices introduced to assist customers to understand and navigate the changes. The feedback and survey carried out on the new service is very encouraging with predominantly very satisfied and satisfied customers.

Conclusion

The eMVRC modernizes Jamaica’s vehicle licensing by digitizing certificates, expanding licence duration options, and enabling electronic delivery through the CGDS Portal. Motorists must provide an email for every transaction, and while private vehicle renewals can be completed online, certain registrations still require in-person processing at tax offices. The changes provide a platform to configure our systems to enhance motor vehicle classes that may access on line service and to soon be able to offer an expiry notification reminder solution.