Regime begins issuing motorbike licences in Sittwe

By DMG 10 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
10 October 2022, Sittwe

The Myanmar military regime’s motor vehicle registration authority has begun issuing licences to about 100 motorbikes daily in the Arakan State capital Sittwe since September 28, according to U Kan Nyunt, director of the Road Transport Administration Department.

There were delays in issuing licences due to the large number of motorcycle licence applicants in early October, he told DMG.

“There were delays in issuing motorbike licences due to the number of applicants,” he said.

A resident of Sittwe said that jobs are on the line amid long waiting times when applying for a motorcycle licence.

“I applied for a motorbike licence after I took a half-day off from work. I submitted an application form at 9 a.m. and have been queuing at the customs section until 3 p.m. I also had to cancel my job,” said a motorbike licence applicant.

For motorbike licensing, a fee of K40,000 to K100,000 has been set for motorcycles made in China; K100,000 to K200,000 for Thai-made motorbikes; K50,000 to K200,000 for Indian-made motorbikes; and K100,000 to K200,000 for motorcycles made in Vietnam.

As a motorcycle licence applicant, it is necessary to submit a document fee of K28,000, an insurance fee of K4,150 and a bank deposit of K500 to the Department of Road Transport Administration, U Kan Nyunt said.

“We have to check the motorbike’s manufacturer, model and engine power, and issue a motorbike licence only if the above-mentioned fees are submitted to the department,” he added.

There is no time limit for issuing motorcycle licences and driver’s licences.

Police Colonel Thet Lwin, Arakan State minister for road transport, has said that the reason for issuing such licences is to take action against the drivers of unlicensed vehicles in the event that an accident occurs while riding an unlicensed motorcycle.

Since motorbike thefts are reported in Sittwe, residents are questioning how the relevant authorities will take responsibility if licensed motorcycles are stolen.

“The regime has now started issuing motorbike licences. But I want to know how the relevant authorities will take responsibility if licensed motorcycles are stolen. The rates set for applying for a motorcycle licence; it is a big burden for those who can’t afford it,” said an unnamed Sittwe resident.

Since early September, there have been arrests of unlicensed motorcyclists in several Arakan State townships.