ST. THOMAS — The St. Thomas and St. Croix offices of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) suffered severe storm damage as a result of last month’s hurricanes, BMV Director Lawrence Olive has reported, according to a Government House release issued Saturday. He noted that the office on St. John is in much better shape, but currently lacks the infrastructure necessary to provide services.
Mr. Olive, who has been working to keep the public informed via regular radio reports, said BMV is unable to process driver’s licenses at this time and that the Bureau of Information Technology was working to restore the bureau’s computer system.
“I have advised the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators about the severity of the damage to our offices here and I have requested that they assist Virgin Islanders who may be relocating to other states with a recently expired license,” Mr. Olive said. “Our local law enforcement is also obviously aware of the problems we are experiencing.”
The St. Croix office at the Patrick Sweeney Complex will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Tuesday, October 10, with the goal of processing 40 registrations per day. Vehicle registrations and transfers can be processed without the online system, Mr. Olive said. Only cash payments can be taken until internet service is restored. The St. Thomas facilities in Sub Base suffered the worst damage.
“We are working to clean up and repair a section of the building that we can operate from temporarily,” the director said. “We expect to make an announcement next week.”
Phone service is currently down at all three BMV offices.
“I thank the public for their understanding and my staff for their efforts under these difficult conditions,” Mr. Olive concluded.
Feature Image: Damage at one of BMV’s offices. (Courtesy Government House).
Tags: bureau of motor vehicle, hurricane irma, hurricane maria