WILLEMSTAD – A total of 93,036 vehicle owners in Curaçao have already paid their 2025 motor vehicle tax, according to the latest figures released by authorities. However, thousands of motorists have yet to complete the process by collecting their new license plates.
The figures show that 80,254 vehicle owners have already picked up their newly issued number plates. That means 12,782 motorists who have paid their taxes still need to collect their updated plates.
The ongoing rollout of the new license plates forms part of the government's broader effort to modernize and clean up Curaçao’s vehicle registration system. Earlier this year, authorities began distributing a completely redesigned license plate featuring the Queen Juliana Bridge and Christoffel Mountain, replacing the previous design that had been in use since 2009.
Government officials have repeatedly stressed that paying the motor vehicle tax alone does not fully complete the legal registration process. Vehicle owners are also required to collect and properly display the new plates to remain fully compliant with vehicle registration regulations.
The introduction of the new plates is also being used to improve the accuracy of government vehicle records. Authorities previously explained that the updated system helps remove outdated registrations, allows unused plate numbers to be recycled, and reduces the risk of fraud and counterfeit license plates.
Earlier this year, officials revealed that approximately 110,000 license plates were awaiting collection as part of the transition to the new system. At the time, authorities noted that a significant number of vehicles listed in government records were no longer active, contributing to inaccuracies in the database.
The latest figures suggest strong compliance among motorists, with more than 93,000 tax payments already registered. Nevertheless, authorities continue to encourage the remaining 12,782 motorists who have paid their taxes to collect their new plates as soon as possible.
Officials have warned in previous statements that drivers who fail to display the updated registration plates could still encounter problems during traffic inspections and police controls, even if their tax payments have already been processed.
The government views the transition as an important step toward improving administration, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring that Curaçao’s vehicle registry more accurately reflects active and compliant vehicle owners.