Title 20 — Highways and Motor Vehicles
18 chapters · 279 sections in this title.
20 V.I.C. § 1 Control, construction, and maintenance of public highways
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(a) The duty of keeping the public highways, bridges, courses, breastwalls, guardrails, and private roads dedicated to public use, in good serviceable condition is incumbent upon the government of the Virgin Islands. (b) Supervision and control of the public highways shall be exe…
20 V.I.C. § 2 Official maps; classification and width of highways
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(a) The Commissioner of Public Works shall maintain official maps showing in detail the boundaries and rights of way of all public highways in the Virgin Islands. (b) The classification of public highways, and the width of rights of way thereof, shall be determined by the Commiss…
20 V.I.C. § 3 Acquisition of land for highways
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(a) When the construction of a new highway or the increase in width of an existing highway is authorized, the Commissioner of Public Works may accept, on behalf of the government of the Virgin Islands, deeds of gift from the owners of property affected thereby. If the interest of…
20 V.I.C. § 3a Dedication of private roads to public use; repairs
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(a) The Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to receive offers to dedicate private roads to public use throughout the Virgin Islands. (b) Pending the approval of the dedication by the Legislature, the Commissioner may grade and effect temporary repairs to the road or roads …
20 V.I.C. § 3b Paving private roads used by public
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The Department of Public Works may pave private roads at the request of the owners when the Commissioner determines that the road is used substantially by the public.
20 V.I.C. § 4 Tramways
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The Governor with the approval of the Legislature may grant permits to lay down tramways on the public highways, subject to such stipulations as are needed to insure that the general traffic will not be hindered and that the government of the Virgin Islands shall not be burdened …
20 V.I.C. § 5 Preservation of public peace; security of public; trees
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Subject to the approval of the Legislature, the Governor shall issue regulations for the maintenance of public peace on the public roads, for the security of the public on the public roads, and for the preservation of the trees growing along the roads. Such trees shall not be fel…
20 V.I.C. § 6 Penalties
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Whoever violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not more than $100.
20 V.I.C. § 7 Private roads and driveways; permits; fees
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(a) No person shall cut, grade, construct or cover with concrete or any other surface material any private road or driveway which intersects with a public road without first applying for, and obtaining, a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works. (b) Such application shall be…
20 V.I.C. § 41 Declaration of essentiality; general authority of Governor
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It is declared that the establishment of a long-range comprehensive program for construction and improvement of roads and highways throughout the Virgin Islands is essential to the internal development of the Virgin Islands, and the works authorized under this chapter are declare…
20 V.I.C. § 42 Submission to Legislature of initial report covering ten-year program
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(a) The Governor, with the assistance of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, shall cause to be prepared and shall submit to the President of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands a comprehensive report on a long-range program covering the Governor’s four-year term…
20 V.I.C. § 43 Submission of annual plans for specific projects; recommendations
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In addition to the initial report provided for in section 42 of this title, the Governor shall also submit at the commencement of each regular session of the Legislature, a plan for specific projects to be undertaken consistent with the long-range road highway program, together w…
20 V.I.C. § 44 Acquisition of lands; studies, investigations, etc., in advance
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(a) In furtherance of the above, the Governor is authorized, through appropriate insular or cooperating Federal agencies to:(a) acquire improved or unimproved lands or interests in land by purchase, donation, exchange, or condemnation for any project herein authorized.(b) underta…
20 V.I.C. § 45 Funds
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Funds for the purpose of carrying out the projects authorized in this chapter, including preliminary and final surveys, studies, plans and estimates relative hereto, and for the purpose of insular contributions under any applicable Federal program of road or highway aid, shall be…
20 V.I.C. § 46 Relocation of utility facilities necessitated by road construction
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(a) The following definitions shall be applicable in this section:(1) “Utility” or “Utilities” shall include the public corporations, private companies and authorities, or agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands that, pursuant to law or franchise, operate, maintain and/o…
20 V.I.C. § 47 Standards for paving and construction of roads; penalties for violations
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(a) The Department of Public Works shall establish procedures and minimum standards for the paving and construction of high quality roads in the Virgin Islands. The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works shall assign a minimum of two civil engineers to establish the proce…
20 V.I.C. § 51 Intent and purpose
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(a) In adopting and implementing “The Virgin Islands Complete Streets Act of 2022” the Government of the Virgin Islands shall plan, develop, and provide a more integrated, multimodal transportation network that will enhance the quality of life of all Virgin Islanders. All modes o…
20 V.I.C. § 52 Definitions
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(a) As used in this subchapter;(a) “AARP” means the American Association of Retired Persons.(b) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Works.(c) “Complete Streets” means a transportation policy that is committed to the planning, designing, operating and maintenance of st…
20 V.I.C. § 53 Duties of the Commissioner
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(a) The Commissioner is responsible for coordinating stakeholders to assess the needs of the Virgin Islands transit system and to plan new construction to improve the safety and accessibility of the Territory’s streets and highways for all users. (b) The Commissioner shall ensure…
20 V.I.C. § 54 Task Force established
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(a) There is established within the Department the Complete Streets Task Force. In addition to the Commissioner, who serves as its chair, the Task Force is composed of ten members, four members from St. Thomas, four members from St. Croix and two members from St. John, appointed …
20 V.I.C. § 55 Implementation and procedure
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(a) The Task Force shall function solely as an advisory committee in the designing and implementation of the Complete Streets policy. The Task Force shall use the best and latest design guidance, standards, and monitoring of the recommendations available to maximize design flexib…
20 V.I.C. § 56 Inclusion and exceptions
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(a) The Task Force shall approach every transportation improvement and project phase as an opportunity to create safer, more accessible streets for all users. These improvements and phases include planning, programming, design, right-of-way acquisition, subdivision and land devel…
20 V.I.C. § 57 Jurisdiction and network connectivity
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(a) This policy applies to The Department of Public Works transportation system in the public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, streets, alleys, sidewalks, and all other connecting pathways. The owners and operators of private streets, sidewalks, alleys, and parking lo…
20 V.I.C. § 58 Annual reporting
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(a) The Commissioner and the Task Force shall make a report to the Governor, the Legislature and the Committee on Housing Transportation and Telecommunications or successor committee bi-annually, demonstrating progress made in implementing this policy using the following performa…
20 V.I.C. § 59 Additional considerations
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(a) In addition to providing safe and accessible streets in the Virgin Islands, care must be given to incorporate best management practices for addressing storm water runoff, and modern, innovative storm water infrastructure must be integrated into the construction/reconstruction…
20 V.I.C. § 101 Definitions
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As used in this part—“Automobile for hire” means a surrey or a motor vehicle operated for the purpose of transporting passengers for hire in the Virgin Islands and shall include motor vehicles operated for the purpose of conducting tours whether or not on fixed routes or on estab…
20 V.I.C. § 102 Government vehicles
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The provisions of this part requiring registration licenses, license plates, and operators' licenses shall apply to motor vehicles belonging to the Federal or local governments with their consent.
20 V.I.C. § 103 Distribution of laws and regulations
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A copy or summary of this part, sections 1381 and 1382 of Title 14, and such other provisions of laws and regulations as the Commissioner deems necessary, shall be furnished with the license to each person licensed under the provisions of this part. The heads of Federal activitie…
20 V.I.C. § 104 Motorcycle Rider Education Program
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(a) The Bureau shall develop standards for, establish, and administer the Virgin Islands Motorcycle Safety Education Program. (b) The program must provide mandatory rider training courses for novice riders in sufficient numbers and at locations throughout the territory as necessa…
20 V.I.C. § 201 Short title
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act”.
20 V.I.C. § 202 Legislative intent
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1. It is the intention of the legislature that the purposes of the “Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Act” are:1. To facilitate vehicle sales and sales financing within the Virgin Islands by simplifying procedures for transfers and the creation and perfection of liens;2. To curt…
20 V.I.C. § 203 Definitions
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As used in this chapter:“Bureau” means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.“Identifying number” means the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer or by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of identifying the vehicle. The term shall include any numbers or lette…
20 V.I.C. § 204 Certificate of title required
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(a) Except as provided in section 205 of this chapter, every owner of a vehicle which is in the Virgin Islands and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall make application to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for a certificate of title o…
20 V.I.C. § 205 Exclusion
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1. No certificate of title need be obtained for:1. A vehicle owned by the Government of the United States unless it is registered in the Virgin Islands;2. A vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purp…
20 V.I.C. § 206 Optional certificate of title
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The owner of an implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment may apply for and obtain a certificate of title on it. All of the provisions of this chapter are applicable to be certificate of title so issued, except that a person who receives a transfer of an interest in the …
20 V.I.C. § 207 Application for certificate of title
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(a) The application for a certificate of title of a vehicle in this Territory shall be made by the owner to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on the form it prescribes and shall contain:1. The name, residence and mailing address of the owner;2. A description of the vehicle including, …
20 V.I.C. § 208 Examination of records
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(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, upon receiving an application for a certificate of title, shall check the vehicle identification number shown in the application against the records of vehicles required to be maintained by section 209 of this chapter and against the records of s…
20 V.I.C. § 209 Issuance and records
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(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title for the vehicle. (b) The Bureau of Motor…
20 V.I.C. § 210 Contents and effect
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(a) Each certificate of title issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall contain:1. The date issued;2. The name, residence, and mailing address of the owner;3. The names and addresses of any first priority lienholder, as shown on the application or, if the application is based …
20 V.I.C. § 211 Delivery
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The certificate of title shall be mailed to the first priority lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.
20 V.I.C. § 212 Registration without certificate of title; bond
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(a) If the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may register the vehicle but shall either:(a) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the appl…
20 V.I.C. § 213 Refusing certificate of title
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(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if it has reasonable grounds to believe that:(a) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle;(b) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement; or(c) T…
20 V.I.C. § 214 Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates
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(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first priority lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, shall promptly …
20 V.I.C. § 215 Transfer
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(a) If an owner transfers his interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transfers in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the B…
20 V.I.C. § 216 Transfer to or from dealer; records
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(a) If a dealer buys a vehicle and holds it for resale and procures the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder within 10 days after delivery to him of the vehicle, he need not send the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles but, upon transferring the vehicle t…
20 V.I.C. § 217 Transfer by operation of law
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(a) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, promptly mail or deliver to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles the last certificate of title, if available, proof…
20 V.I.C. § 218 Fees; registration cards
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(a) An application for a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the registration card and the required fee when mailed or delivered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) An application for the naming of a lienholder or his assignee on a certificate of title shall be accompan…
20 V.I.C. § 218a Exemptions from Certificate of Title Fees
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(A) Senior citizens or handicapped persons shall be exempt from the payment of the certificate of title fee.(1) For the purposes of this section, “a senior citizen” is defined as a person sixty years of age or older, as verified by a senior citizen I.D. card issued by the Departm…
20 V.I.C. § 219 When Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue new certificate
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(a) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner …
20 V.I.C. § 220 Surrender of certificate of title and issuance of salvage certificate
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(a) When an insurer acquires ownership of a vehicle which it determines to be a junk or salvage vehicle, it shall within fifteen (15) days following acquisition of the certificate of title, surrender the certificate to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. (b) If ownership of a junk or s…