Overview
- Cabinet approved the extension from five years to ten years for licence codes A, A1, B and EB on Thursday, applying only to motorcycles and light motor vehicles.
- Government says the decision follows a Road Traffic Management Corporation study that recommended aligning with international practice to reduce renewals and ease service demand.
- Implementation is not immediate because regulation 108 of the Road Traffic Regulations must be amended and draft notices must pass the Shareholders Committee, the Secretary of Parliament for public comment, and the State Law Adviser for legal scrutiny.
- Heavy commercial, public transport vehicles and Professional Driving Permits will keep their existing shorter renewal cycles, and motorists must continue to renew under the five-year rule until the law is changed and a commencement date is published.
- Advocacy groups such as OUTA welcomed the move as long overdue, while operational questions remain about transitional arrangements, fees and whether current cards will be revalidated for the new 10-year term.