Transport Ministry Reports Decline in Vehicle Registrations

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced the decrease in vehicle registrations in Male’ City, attributing the drop to the introduction of stricter registration practices for four-wheelers.

In a statement released on the Ministry’s official website, “sarukaaru,” it was confirmed that the new measures have effectively ended unauthorized vehicle registrations.

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As of 31 October this year, four-wheeler registrations in the Male’ area have fallen by 74.1 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, two-wheeler registrations have decreased by 8.1 percent over the same timeframe.

“These measures have reduced the number of vehicles registered in Male’ City, which is a crucial step towards alleviating the traffic situation in the city,” the Ministry said.

The crackdown on unapproved registrations follows complaints of corruption during the previous government’s vehicle registration process.

Data obtained through the Right to Information Act by Mihaaru News shows that 96,357 motorcycles were registered in Male’ as of March 2023, while 6,470 cars and 6,457 other four-wheeled vehicles were also registered, bringing the total number of vehicles in the capital to 109,284.

A Ministry spokesperson clarified that vehicles can still be registered by submitting a garage letter, but a new regulation requires a physical inspection to ensure that the garage complies with necessary standards.

Additionally, a Ministry media official stated that registration forms will only be processed if they meet the required criteria, a change that has contributed to the overall decline in vehicle registrations.

The Transport Ministry, which had faced accusations of corruption under the previous administration, was subjected to an audit amid allegations of illegal charges and misconduct in the vehicle registration and licensing process.

However, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has assured that such practices are no longer possible under the current administration.