The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it has noted with concern that there are a number of motor vehicles registered in the ‘G’ and ‘B’ series that are being utilized in a manner that contravenes the terms and conditions under which the motor vehicles were granted permission to be registered in the said series.

A release from the GRA said previously, the Commissioner-General of the GRA had implemented the policy outlined below which must be adopted before a vehicle can be registered in ‘G’ for the purpose of ‘carrying goods’:
* The vehicle must have seats fitted at the front of the vehicle for the driver and two porters;
* The side of the vehicle must be completely sealed with metal and not glass, seats must not be fitted in the rear of the vehicle;
* The unladen weight of the vehicle, name and address of the registered owner should be painted on the right side of the vehicle; and
* The person wishing to register the vehicle as ‘G’ must have a registered business to justify use of a goods transportation vehicle.

In addition, the GRA said it requires that approval be granted by the Commissioner-General, through the office of the Tax Exemption Processing and Verification Unit before a vehicle can be registered as ‘G’.
“Therefore, a goods vehicle should not be used for the purpose of transporting passengers. On the other hand, minibuses that are registered for the purpose of transporting passengers should not be seen transporting goods. Such actions constitute a breach of the conditions of registration and persons found to be in contravention of the outlined conditions will be penalised.”
“It is also important to note that under Section 87 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Cap. 51:01 no person shall use a goods (G) vehicle on the road in any area of Guyana for the carriage of goods for hire or reward or in connection with any trade or business carried on by him, except under a goods transportation licence.”
“Therefore, apart from ensuring that they operate the vehicle in keeping with the conditions of registration, persons should not operate a vehicle for the purpose of carrying goods within Guyana, without a goods transportation licence issued by the police.”
“Additionally, it should be noted that the registration of Extra and Single Cab motor vehicles cannot be changed from ‘G’ to ‘P’ and must remain in ‘G’ since those vehicles are strictly designed for the purpose of carrying goods.”
“The GRA will continue its enforcement activities to ensure that vehicle owners are in compliance with the regulations and that vehicles are being utilized for the purposes for which they were registered. Persons who have information of any vehicle being used other than for the registered purpose are encouraged to contact the GRA’s Hotline on 227-6060,” the release said.