As in most countries, vehicles on Tobago are taxed and licensed for a specific usage. The difference is that in Tobago, the licensed category is clearly indicated by the first letter on the vehicle’s registration number plate, as follows:
- H = taxi or “private hire” vehicle
R = rental vehicle
P = private/domestic
T = commercial vehicle/truck.
However, I admit that I didn’t know until today that some car rental agencies engage in the dubious process of running “P”-plate cars among their rental fleet. The police have tended to take a less-than-strict view, as long as the operator can prove that the vehicle is covered by valid “rental” insurance. It all depends upon who stops the vehicle and who the supplier knows at the licensing office!!!
The police appear to be cracking down. I think this is probably because a number of smaller establishments and villa owners have adopted the practice of "renting" private vehicles to guest visitors without the proper (and expensive) insurance cover. Fine until something goes wrong. However, a myTobago reader was stopped yesterday at a police road check. The police impounded the car when they discovered that the visitor was renting a private “P”-plated car. There was some additional minor concern about the tint of the Nissan Serena’s windows.
Although the police knew that the party of visitors were not to blame and sympathised with their predicament, the party nonetheless had to spend several hours making statements at the police station. They then had to take taxis back to their villa. The delays meant that they missed a tour aboard Natural Mystic (with loss of US$82 deposit/cancellation fee). The rental agency concerned had no other large vehicles available and offered two smaller cars as a replacement. However, when they arrived an hour later, they only brought one car, totally inadequate (and illegal) for six passengers.
Now the moral of the story is obviously to check the registration plate on the front/back of the vehicle when your rental is delivered and to ensure that the number starts with an “R”. If not, you too stand the chance of having a precious day of your holiday ruined, wasting time in the police station and waiting for replacement cars, etc – not to mention the loss of deposit on tours, etc. If hiring from a smaller, less well-known, or private source, the “P” plate may also indicate that the vehicle is not a genuine “rental” car and may possibly therefore not carry the appropriate insurance so essential for your protection – so be warned! It’s all very well wanting to save cost, or saying that you didn’t know – but if you are involved in an accident – and particularly if it was your fault – you could really find yourself in deep s….!
There is one good side to this story and one that I make no apology for mentioning as it simply endorses my recommendations on the subject.
The party booked their car through the online services of a certain well-know Tobago tour operator/accommodation/car rental brokerage service. No prizes for guessing who! This firm act as the visitor’s representative, not simply as an agent for the car rental agency. As soon as they were notified of the situation, they arranged appropriate transport with an alternative rental agency. Bearing in mind that booking a car through them costs no more than booking directly with the car rental agency (they simply take a commission fee from the rental agency), it was way beyond the call of duty to hear that they personally absorbed the US$300 cost of the higher-quality replacement and cancellation fees of the Natural Mystic tour in a valiant attempt to compensate the customer and restore confidence.
As Patrick says (well - you're bound to have guessed), this practise by the rental agencies is totally unacceptable. As far as his own services are concerned, he has promised to contact every rental agency that they deal with and get them to agree, in writing, that Yes Tourism clients will only ever be supplied with “R”-plated vehicles. If they are unwilling or unable to guarantee this, you can expect to see some changes to the list of agencies available through the YT online reservation pages.
This site is not here to promote Yes Tourism, but credit where credit is due. All I can say is that I hear more horror stories about car rental on Tobago than any other subject. Cock-ups and breakdowns will occur, even when you use YT, but at least knowing that you’ve got a good and caring local firm fighting your corner counts for a hell of a lot as far as I’m concerned.
So, drive carefully and only EVER accept a rental vehicle with a registration number starting with an "R".
