Licence plate requirements for motorcycles

| 29/01/2017

Do motorcycles need number plates on the front and the back? If so, why do we see so many bikes with only the rear plates…surely this is most obvious as to the policy?


Auntie’s answer: I think in general — and with good reason — people are very concerned about the dangers of illegal motorbikers riding around Cayman. The issue was addressed in this column last month (see Get dangerous bikers off the roads) and about a week ago, the police made several arrests of people involving unlicensed bikes and dangerous driving (see Police seize bikes in reckless rider clampdown).

In the situation you describe, however, no laws are being broken. An official with the Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ Licensing explained that Section 5 (2)(b) of the Traffic Regulations, 2012 says that trailers and/or motorcycles are to display registration plates or trade plates at the rear of either.

The law also sets out exactly how the plates are to be mounted. Failure to attach them properly will result in an offence and on summary conviction the offender would be liable to a fine of $300 or imprisonment for a term of six months, or both.

If that’s what it takes to get these motorcyclists off the road than I would be happy to see the police stop any and all of these illicit riders for something as simple as an improperly affixed licence plate. Whatever it takes.

The law mentioned in this column can be found on the CNS Library

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  1. Diogenes says:

    Problem being there is no policing of missing rear plates either.

    Perhaps the tips facility should allow members of the public to upload a photo of an offending vehicle and a note of its parked location. RCIPS could then pop around and seize the vehicle, at least. Assuming they can be bothered.