Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen says vehicle registration for expatriates has been temporarily suspended as new traffic rules are prepared.
The Minister announced the suspension on social media. He said the government is amending road transport regulations to ease congestion in the Greater Malé Region. As part of this move, authorities have stopped registering vehicles under expatriate names.
A new land transport law is also in progress. It introduces heavier fines and sets rules for expatriate licensing. Valid licences from countries in the International Traffic Treaty can still be used.
The law outlines when licences can be withheld. It treats reckless or dangerous driving as a criminal offence. Fatal accidents can bring up to 20 years in prison. Injuries can lead to 10–15 years, and minor harm can result in 5–10 years. Licences will be revoked during imprisonment and reissued only after a ministry-run program.
The ministry must finalise the new regulations within six months of the law’s ratification.
