The Bureau of Motor Vehicles plans to leave its trailer-based operation on St. Croix during FY2027, a move expected to more than double its rental expenses, while the agency continues expanding digital services, prepares to implement a driver-points system and explores a mobile application for storing vehicle and licensing documents.
The bureau is requesting an overall FY2027 budget of $7,058,454 and projects collecting $10,650,000 in revenue during the fiscal year.
Its budget presentation drew relatively little criticism from members of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance. Senator Hubert Frederick described it as “one of the tightest reports I've seen so far.”
Rental Costs Expected to More Than Double
BMV’s proposed budget includes $3,831,128 from the General Fund, $986,253 from the BMV Fund and $2,241,073 from the Personalized License Plate Fund.
The General Fund and BMV Fund appropriations would cover personnel costs and fringe benefits. Revenue from the Personalized License Plate Fund would pay for supplies, rent, utilities, maintenance and other operating expenses.
Rental costs are projected to increase from $169,006 in the current fiscal year to $386,253 in FY2027.
BMV Director Barbara Jackson-McIntosh attributed the increase to the agency’s anticipated relocation from its current facilities on St. Croix.
“we anticipate moving from where we are in St. Croix, from the trailers.”
BMV projects collecting $10,650,000 during FY2027.
As of June 30, 2026, the bureau had collected $7,809,939 during the current fiscal year and anticipated reaching $10,550,813 by its conclusion.
Lawmakers were also told that BMV owes $450,000 to vendors.
Chief Financial Officer Linda Lloyd said the outstanding payments are “in requisition and funds are encumbered,” indicating that the money has been reserved while the payment process continues.
Renewal Times Reduced to Approximately 15 Minutes
BMV reported continued progress in automating and digitizing its services.
The bureau has fully automated its driver’s license system and introduced digital customer queuing and appointment scheduling.
It has also automated “90% of the forms” that customers previously completed manually.
According to Ms. Jackson-McIntosh, those changes have reduced transaction times from “up to 5 hours to approximately 15 minutes for renewals.”
Points System Moves Toward Data Review
The bureau received a $189,045 grant from the Office of Highway Safety to complete implementation of the territory’s driver-points system.
Ms. Jackson-McIntosh said a public information and education campaign is underway and that BMV has “tested the software to capture the data from the Superior Court.”
Beginning August 3, 2026, the bureau “will be able to analyze the data collected, perform quality control checks to ensure that the process flows as it should, and the data collected is accurate,” Ms. Jackson-McIntosh said.
Commercial Driver's License Work Advances
BMV has completed the “preliminary work” required to develop and implement a Virgin Islands Commercial Driver’s License program.
The bureau has also received technical assistance intended to support its “successful implementation.”
BMV is now in the second phase of the process, which involves identifying certified medical professionals to perform the required medical examinations.
The agency is also identifying certified road testers and examiners.
During FY2027, BMV plans to examine whether it can develop a mobile application allowing customers to keep important documents on their electronic devices.
The bureau will “explore the probability of creating an app whereby customers can store, on their devices, vehicle registration, titles, insurance cards, and a copy of their driver’s licence so that they will be readily available,” Ms. Jackson-McIntosh said.
BMV will also examine the “possibility of a service center specifically for car dealers.”
Approximately 10,000 Vehicles Listed an Uninsured
One issue that drew particular attention during Thursday’s hearing was Ms. Jackson-McIntosh’s disclosure that there are “approximately 10,000 vehicles that are uninsured.”
She said some owners may have failed to renew their insurance, while others may have renewed their policies without notifying BMV.
The bureau’s latest figures show 27,171 registered vehicles on St. Croix, 29,780 on St. Thomas and 4,601 on St. John.
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