New Transfer Centennial license plates

I just want to get this straight. One has to pay the cost of inspection, registration, plus fees and the extra $49.00 for new plates. So the total for renewal will be around $94.00. Am I correct?

watruw8ing4
"In the two states I lived in, we never had to pay extra for new plates. They were lumped into the overall cost, and changed rarely.

Being on a fixed income, I'm a little PO'd. But there are far worse things to get steamed over."

Same experience here, watruw8ing4.

Sorry everyone, I'm just venting because of the money I'm forking over for car repairs that isn't necessary because of certain circumstances.

You pay for all the regular expenses along with, every 10 years, the additional fee for new plates.

You pay for all the regular expenses along with, every 10 years, the additional fee for new plates.

Thanks, OT!

ot-i didnt read the article, so would not have known that. as i said-i heard it on the radio

ot-i didnt read the article, so would not have known that. as i said-i heard it on the radio

Beachcomber linked the article in the first post.

When I first moved here we had the T-### plates that were red, white and blue. We have also had the America's Paradise, the "Our Islands Our Home", and the current ones. I also remember the yellow and black, kind of... I think I am going to go get some Friends of the Park plates like I had on two older cars....I'm sorry, Ronnie, I understand trying to raise money for the Centennial, but sometimes it is how you approach people.

I don't see a post from Ronnie in this thread

When I first moved here we had the T-### plates that were red, white and blue. We have also had the America's Paradise, the "Our Islands Our Home", and the current ones. I also remember the yellow and black, kind of... I think I am going to go get some Friends of the Park plates like I had on two older cars....I'm sorry, Ronnie, I understand trying to raise money for the Centennial, but sometimes it is how you approach people.

When I first moved here we had the T-### plates that were red, white and blue.

Think I still have one buried in a box somewhere!

I'm with you on that.
They got a $500K Grant.
Either plan within that budget or get corporate sponsorship for additional funds but don't stick it to the vehicle owning population as "mandatory." It leaves a sour taste. If I have to pay extra I may as well get a plate of my liking and support a cause I actually care about.

And why does one have to turn in their old plates?
We've paid for those and should be able to keep or dispose of them as we see fit.
It's more the principal of the matter for me than the extra $10 that they are foisting upon us.

I found a black and yellow one in the bush in good shape

Island Joan: He is on the Centennial Committee.:-)

Ah that explains it! Thanks EE

Island Joan: He is on the Centennial Committee.:-)

Do a search on ebay for VI plates. I would not give my retired plate to BMV. Alana, now is the time for people to not be sheeple or whatever.

When I'm not busy, I'm going to the BMV, hang around for a little time and observe exactly what's going on.

Are people turning in their old plates or not? If not, is one being penalized?

If they are, can one get them back or not?

I'm curious what the outcome is going to be.

Also, search youtube for license plate collections and see what you get. Interesting.

Some jurisdictions let people keep their plates. If the VI were to sell them as scrap metal that would be okay by me, too, as long as the money was used by BMV. They gave them away last time.

Seems that the additional $10 fee mandate will be rescinded:
http://viconsortium.com/business/sen-jackson-to-offer-amendment-repealing-10-centennial-license-plate-tax-amid-backlash/

It's unfortunate that it wasn't thought out more carefully before implementation as now it'll cost more money to reimburse those who've already paid and those who'll pay until the tax is officially removed. Thinking before acting ... 😀

He wants to be reelected.

Just my thoughts:

The fee for registering a car here in the VI is far less than anywhere else I have lived. I've lived in many places. Complaints about the additional $10 by people who have transplanted themselves here seem like deliberate disrespect and willful ignorance.

Charging a small fee to help cover expenses for the transfer day observance seems like a pretty good value in terms of the return on our tourism/advertising dollars. Transfer day is a big deal with the potential to benefit everyone directly and/or indirectly.

I'd pay $10 twice over to get rid of the current plates which, while pretty, have images of fish that are exclusively from the Pacific, with no Caribbean species represented.

Maybe you should ask some of your Crucian/Thomian ancestors how they feel about transfer day.

Maybe you should ask some of your Crucian/Thomian ancestors how they feel about transfer day.

Curious about that suggestion. First of all, I don't believe there's anybody alive today who was living here before or during the transfer. That said, having been involved in several Transfer Day ceremonies, I was fortunate enough to have in the past met several who remembered it well and who shared those recollections with me. As would be normal under such circumstances there was, according to them, a mixture of excitement and trepidation over what the future held but none remembered or expressed any angst over the transition. The main grumblings were those common to pretty much most of the older generation everywhere - the deterioration of the family unit and family values, lack of discipline and the younger generations' frivolous spending and emphasis on material possessions!

Sunny, you're telling me that 500K was not enough for a party? Maybe thats just a "transplants opinion" but I shouldn't be forced to pay for something thats not broke. I think when the government wants ANY money for something that they've already got a half million for - it just puts a bad taste in peoples mouths. How much of that 500k actually went into the celebration vs into pockets? I think thats where the bitterness comes in. I still haven't gotten ONE tax return nor has my Fiancé and his were pretty substantial. So yea its only $10 and I spend that on one craft beer from Ale house but its not the money thats the point. Its the principal. I see your point I just disagree with it.

The species represented one looks like a juv French Angel - another looks like a permit (we have both) the top right is a freshwater fish lol (Kribensis sp) and I think the bottom left is made up so I get your point but these plates are happy and fun - my tourist LOVED them. Mean that was always the first thing they would see as we loaded up for the day. So many pics were taken at the back of my companies jeep with the VI plates and the Life Is Good tire cover.

I will spend extra money to pay for the HS plates that actually supports a cause that doesn't get 500K for a party.

(tu)

That's how I feel. It's not the money.

Sunny, you're telling me that 500K was not enough for a party?

It's not a "party". It's an observance of a pivotal point in the history of the Virgin Islands and even more relevant this year on the 100th anniversary of the transfer. As SunnyCaribe said, "Transfer day is a big deal with the potential to benefit everyone directly and/or indirectly." Obviously you have no idea of the business/trade/tourist relationship between Denmark and the US Virgin Islands which is substantial and does indeed work to our benefit. Your dismissal of it as simply "a party" is upsetting but, again quoting SunnyCaribe, "Complaints about the additional $10 by people who have transplanted themselves here seem like deliberate disrespect and willful ignorance."

The ill-conceived $10 which stuck in the craw is not now going to be imposed on the general public so it's a moot point but please try and have a little respect for and gain a little knowledge of the islands' history before denigrating the annual observance as a "party".

My grandfather attended the centennial as councilman and business owner.
I've got pictures and plaques of the event that I just gave to my niece since she's the family genealogist and historian.

The "mandatory" plate was indeed ill conceived and never should have happened. They have $500,000.00 budgeted and they surely must have corporate sponsorship. Unfortunately, we know, all too well, how our government fritters away federal and local funds for parties/celebrations and how much never ends up where it's supposed to.

I seriously doubt many will celebrate it as a pivotal point and not just another holiday, one amongst many.

Sunny, you're telling me that 500K was not enough for a party?

It's not a "party". It's an observance of a pivotal point in the history of the Virgin Islands and even more relevant this year on the 100th anniversary of the transfer. As SunnyCaribe said, "Transfer day is a big deal with the potential to benefit everyone directly and/or indirectly." Obviously you have no idea of the business/trade/tourist relationship between Denmark and the US Virgin Islands which is substantial and does indeed work to our benefit. Your dismissal of it as simply "a party" is upsetting but, again quoting SunnyCaribe, "Complaints about the additional $10 by people who have transplanted themselves here seem like deliberate disrespect and willful ignorance."

The ill-conceived $10 which stuck in the craw is not now going to be imposed on the general public so it's a moot point but please try and have a little respect for and gain a little knowledge of the islands' history before denigrating the annual observance as a "party".

I'll agree it's more than a party (even though there will be a lot of partying going on). But when I look around at the people who are struggling financially and can't maintain a running vehicle to get to work, tacking even a $10 fee on to this necessity was the wrong way to go. Glad they got the message.

A&A had a valid point, though. Given the VI track record, where is the money going, and are the business as usual, elite extravagances going to eat into that money, or will it truly be a commemoration the masses can share in? I remain skeptical under the current leadership. I'm choosing to believe "party" was just an ill conceived word in this context, but her main point, "spend within your budget because you already owe too many citizens", says it all.