The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has opened the opportunity for drivers to have their traffic fines waived upon completion of a training programme.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made the decision to waive traffic fines issued from November 17, 2018, to September 5, 2023. The purpose of the decision is to ease the financial challenges of drivers as well as encourage them to adhere to traffic regulations. In accordance with the decision, the government will waive fines for license-related offences as well as fines issued over illegal driving and driving without the required equipment as well as taxi-related offences.
The transport ministry said that drivers who wish to have their traffic fines waived will need to join a training programme conducted by the Maldives Police Service (MPS). The 20-hour programme will provide participants with a refresher on traffic regulations and other related issues. He said that a syllabus has been formulated based on the types of fines and that drivers will be given a schedule once they sign up for the programme via the SIMS portal. MPS will conduct the training programme within a duration of a month and a half.
The programme is aimed at reducing the likelihood of participants repeating traffic offences as well as increasing their awareness of the consequences of not adhering to traffic regulations. Individuals can join the programme by submitting the application by October 25.