Minister of Transport, the Hon. Leon Lundy spoke with ZNS News on Monday about the government’s new vehicle inspection regime.

Motorists will be required to prepay approximately $35 before presenting their vehicles for inspection. They will also have to pay every time they return for inspection if their vehicles fail to pass the process. Minister Lundy announced the new changes during his contribution to the 2026/2027 budget debate in the House Of Assembly.

Lundy told ZNS News the new system will reduce wait times and improve efficiency. He said, “you don’t prepay for the registration. You prepay for the inspection side of it because previously you had to go and do the inspection and then come on the inside and pay, so we’re getting away with that. Now you only have to pre-register in order to have your inspection done and once that passed then you go into the registration section and make one payment for the registration.”

The inspection process entails ensuring that vehicle is road worthy. The minister advised the motoring public not to panic. He said, “make sure, as I said, that all of your lights are working, that your wipers are working and that your brake lights are working. You just want to make sure that both you and the other persons that are using the roads are safe.”

Those who refuse to present their vehicles for inspection could face stiff penalties. Minister Lundy said, “if you fail to come in and register your vehicle then you’ll be riding on the road without a licensed vehicle and there are penalties for that. In some cases your car can be impounded.”

The new rules are set to come into effect in January 2027.