The Automated Motor Vehicle System (AMVS) online, introduced by the Inland Revenue Department to process motor vehicle registration certificates electronically, recently landed at least one motorist in trouble with the law after police said the document was forged and proceeded to detain the driver.

Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Viralee Latibeaudiere, said her department carried out a public education programme informing the police about the proposed change. Previously, motor vehicle registration certificates were handwritten.

She said the department had to confirm that the motorist's documents were legitimate before the police released him.

According to Mrs. Latibeaudiere, the AMVS online has been introduced in a number of collectorates, including May Pen, Christiana, Old Harbour, Chapelton, Linstead, Spanish Town, Lionel Town, Black River and Santa Cruz. She says the system will be implemented by the Constant Spring collectorate in September.

She noted that the AMVS reduces the time it takes to do motor vehicle transfers and registration.