Answer to Oral Questions PL040, PL124 & PL125

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG AMRAN BIN HAJI MAIDIN asked MENTERI PENGANGKUTAN DAN INFOKOMUNIKASI to state the reason for the requirement for annual renewal for a Non-Used Vehicle, and whether there is any consideration for an application for such status to be made only once and remain in force until the vehicle concerned is reapplied to be used again.

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN asked MENTERI PENGANGKUTAN DAN INFOKOMUNIKASI to state what efforts are implemented to ensure that vehicles more than 7 years old or new vehicles that have been modified are road worthy? Does the vehicle licence renewal process at VIS centres involve a complete record inspection?

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN asked MENTERI PENGANGKUTAN DAN INFOKOMUNIKASI to state whether there is an investigation into the issues of (i) Brunei commercial vehicles entering this country through land borders such as Labu being detained because of an 'S' permit and (ii) commercial vehicles from neighbouring countries with transit permits being allowed to deliver goods to places such as Pasar Gadong?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi

Thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin for the question raised regarding the annual renewal for 'Non-Used Vehicle'.

For Yang Berhormat's information, the policy of the Land Transport Department (JPD) refers to the Road Traffic Regulations (Licensing of Motor Vehicles and Trailers), 2013, which state that any vehicle owner registered under JPD who is exempted from making any licence payment because they are not using any motor vehicle must make a declaration of 'Non-Use of Vehicle' ('Non-Use') by giving notice to JPD.

With such declaration, the vehicle is exempted from paying Vehicle Licence (VL) throughout the period of non-use, and it is not permitted at all to be used on public roads.

The notice period for non-use of the vehicle granted is one (1) year from the date it is approved with a payment of $5.00. A new application must be made after the one-year period, if the exemption from paying the licence due to non-use of the vehicle concerned is extended to a new period.

In this matter, Yang Berhormat's question as to whether there is any consideration for an application for such status to be made only once and remain in force until the vehicle concerned is reapplied to be used again, this is duly noted and the need and suitability of it will be examined.

Next, moving on to the two (2) questions raised by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin regarding the efforts and inspections carried out by VIS Centres to ensure that 7-year-old vehicles or new vehicles that have been modified are road worthy as well as commercial vehicles.

Vehicles 7 years old or new vehicles that have been modified are road worthy

To ensure that vehicles that are more than 7 years old are fit to be driven on the road (roadworthy), private vehicles aged 7 years and above from the date of registration are required to be inspected or undergo a roadworthiness test at any Vehicle Inspection Station (VIS) approved by the Land Transport Department (JPD) before the Vehicle Licence (Vehicle License – VL) can be renewed.

For vehicle inspections at recognised VIS, there are indeed standards and roadworthiness inspection processes that have been set by JPD to be implemented by the vehicle inspection stations. Among these is the submission of the required documents when carrying out the inspection. This is to ensure:

(i) The vehicle specifications and documents are correct and there are no changes or modifications;

(ii) The vehicle body and components are in good condition and whether replacement or repair is required.

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Note: The list of recognised inspection stations may be referred to through the JPD website.

Meanwhile, with regard to matters related to modified vehicles, it is informed that vehicle modifications that differ from the manufacturer's original specifications must be applied for to the Land Transport Department (JPD) and are also subject to approval from JPD (not all modifications are allowed). In this matter, to ensure that any vehicle modification, whether for old or new vehicles, does not contravene the required regulations, inspection or enforcement will normally be carried out through patrols or roadblocks conducted by the relevant agencies. If any vehicle modification that is not from the original specification and does not have permission from JPD is found, then the vehicle owner is deemed to have committed an offence under the Road Traffic Regulations and may be subject to a fine.

Commercial Vehicles:

To answer the question regarding the investigation of commercial vehicles, if the commercial vehicle has a valid cross-border permit issued by the Land Transport Department, then it is indeed not a problem for it to be allowed entry into this country.

Unless the commercial vehicle is detained for reasons beyond the control of JPD involving other enforcement agencies such as issues related to customs, immigration, quarantine and so on.

Referring to the query relating to commercial vehicles from neighbouring countries with transit permits to deliver goods to places such as Pasar Gadong, it is pleased to be shared that there are two (2) types of permits for the purpose applied for:

(i) Transit Permit – is used for commercial vehicles that wish to cross the border without making any stop; and

(ii) Permit Interstate – is a permit for commercial vehicles that intend to conduct business only at the place stated in the permit applied for, for example Pasar Gadong.

For information, applications for cross-border permits may be made through the Commercial Vehicle Licensing and Public Transport Division at the Land Transport Department.