Nevis gives out temporary licenses with a 1 year limit when one first arrives on island. After 3 temporaries one is eligible for a permanent license with photo, a local picture ID. We got the temporaries at the police station but found that we had to go to the inland revenue desk in a different building downtown about 3/4 mile away through narrow roads jammed with parked cars to get the permanent one.
Yesterday we went to the inland revenue people, waited in line and the gentleman at the desk politely told us to go first to the police station to get a certificate stating we had the 3 temporaries and were approved for the permanent. So we drove over there. Dave dropped me off and found a parking spot quite close and we waited in line for the friendly sergeant who was helpful and gave us the certificates. Back to the inland revenue place.
Dave dropped me off again and was very fortunate to find a spot only a couple blocks away instead of where he usually has to park back near the police station. We waited in line and the nice man was setting everything up and another lady, a supervisor perhaps, came over to quiz something on screen. 10 minutes and a phone call later the man told us – politely and apologetically – that sorry, they upgraded to a new system (the words you never want to hear on Nevis) and it was down. Come back tomorrow.
Did we have to go back to the police station? He didn’t know, suggested we ask the police lady on duty. She was also very nice and polite and yes, we had to go through the same rigmarole the next day too.
We went home (about 2 1/2 hours have elapsed) without our license and came back today. This time we were smart and went to the police station. Oops. System is still down. She will call us when it is back up. She called 2 days later that yes the system was up and she had kindly sent our certificates to the inland revenue people and she’d come out to get the expired temporaries. So very helpful.
We went to the first gentleman to get our paperwork, down to the payment window for payment, then into the back to get the photo and print the licenses. Then back out to the first man to pick up the licenses.
Why is this quintessential Nevis?
- Everyone was polite and helpful, friendly.
- We filled out license forms on the inland revenue counter but they no longer use the forms, just hadn’t gotten around to tossing them.
- The inland revenue room had a television playing loop of local celebrities and employees extolling the virtues of paying taxes. ???
- The system is new and was giving them problems.
- Two separate departments handle different pieces of the process to get a license. I assume there is not a third one hiding in the bushes but since we do not yet have our licenses can’t say.
- I waited in a small park for Dave to pick me up and an older gentleman was super courteous, made space on his bench and helped me across the road.
To summarize, super people, awkward infrastructure. My commendations and thanks to the lady police sergeant and the clerks at the internal revenue, all of whom were pleasant despite what must be trying jobs.
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