Parliament passes land transport bill setting 20-year limit for vehicles

Parliament on Wednesday passed the Land Transport Bill, setting a 20-year limit on the operation of most vehicles and introducing provisions for traffic and vehicle management in the Greater Malé region.

The bill was passed with 47 votes in favour and 12 against, with 59 MPs present.

The legislation will replace the Land Transport Act, which has been in force since 2009.

The government-sponsored bill was introduced by Kurendhoo MP Mohamed Shamin Habib of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Parliament accepted the bill in November last year with 65 votes and referred it to the Committee on National Development and Heritage.

The bill sets out a framework for the planning, operation and regulation of land transport and includes provisions covering vehicle registration, road safety, traffic management, insurance and driving licences.

It requires a National Land Transport Strategy to be formulated within six months of the law taking effect.

The President will also be required to establish a five-member National Road Safety Council within 30 days. A National Road Safety and Traffic Management Advisory Committee will be formed to advise the Ministry of Transport.

A chapter added during the committee stage establishes a transport framework for the Greater Malé region.

Under the bill, a Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office will be established to plan and implement transport operations in the region.

The office will have the authority to set quotas on the number of vehicles in Greater Malé in accordance with procedures established under the law.

A Traffic Management Centre operated by Maldives Police Service will also be established to manage traffic and transport services.

The legislation also creates a Land Transport Mobility Fund to finance transport infrastructure and related activities in the region.

The bill limits the registration and operation of most land vehicles to 20 years from their date of manufacture.

Registration will be revoked when a vehicle reaches the 20-year limit after notice is given to its owner.

Exceptions will apply to vehicles designated under regulations as historical or falling within other specified categories based on their make, model and characteristics.

The legislation introduces a Multiple Ownership Fee for individuals and businesses registering more than two motorised vehicles, or more than two vehicles within the same category.

The annual fee will be calculated according to vehicle type and engine capacity.

For motorcycles, bicycles and scooters, the fee ranges from MVR 360 to MVR 17,280. For cars, jeeps and vans, it ranges from MVR 4,320 to MVR 22,680, while fees for lorries and pickups range from MVR 3,600 to MVR 15,000.

The bill also increases annual fees for some vehicle categories.

The annual fee for motorcycles with engines between 200cc and 400cc will increase from MVR 3,240 to MVR 6,480. For motorcycles of 400cc and above, the fee will rise from MVR 4,320 to MVR 8,640.

For cars, vans and jeeps with engines of 2,000cc and above, the annual fee will increase from MVR 5,670 to MVR 11,340.

The law also introduces fees for personalised vehicle registration numbers.

For four-wheeled vehicles, such registration numbers will cost between MVR 350,000 and MVR 800,000. For other vehicles, the fee will range from MVR 200,000 to MVR 500,000.

The bill makes vehicle insurance mandatory and requires proof of insurance when a vehicle is first registered.

Driving an uninsured vehicle will carry fines ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 3,000 for repeated offences.

Parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities without authorisation will carry a fine of MVR 2,004 and demerit points on the driver's licence.

The penalty for carrying passengers above the permitted number will increase from MVR 500 to MVR 750, in addition to demerit points.

Smoking while driving, riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or travelling on public transport will carry fines ranging from MVR 750 to MVR 1,000.

Public transport operators that breach requirements under the law may face fines of between MVR 15,000 and MVR 30,000, with higher penalties for repeat offences.

The legislation provides for the Ministry of Transport to issue International Driving Permits to holders of Maldivian driving licences for use abroad.

People holding foreign driving licences will be permitted to drive in the Maldives while their licences remain valid if their stay does not exceed 90 days. Those staying for more than 90 days will be required to obtain a Maldivian driving licence.

The Transport Ministry will also be required to publish a list of foreign driving licences recognised in the Maldives.

Maldives Police Service will be required to establish a driver demerit system within two years of the law taking effect.

Accumulation of demerit points may result in the suspension or cancellation of a driving licence, subject to requirements to complete a Driver Education Programme conducted by the Transport Ministry.

Demerit points may be removed after two years without further offences or after completion of the education programme.

The bill also introduces penalties for traffic offences where no specific fine is currently prescribed. This includes a MVR 100 fine for pedestrians crossing roads outside permitted areas.