Transport Ministry has announced that those who have a foreign license from 25 different countries, will not be required to do a driving test to obtain a permanent license in the Maldives.

Under the new amendments to the Land Transport Act, those who have a license from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Germany can acquire a permanent license in the Maldives without a driving test.

While this amendment has been passed, the new regulation in relation to parking violations are now being implemented. 

As of July 16th, land transport regulations were amended to deduct five points from a person’s license credit whenever a parking violation is committed. License is to be revoked when all 100 points are used up. Furthermore, 75 points are to be deducted from a person’s license if another person’s life is lost due to their reckless driving and 50 points are to be deducted if it results in injury.

The gazette also states that 25 points are to be credited every time someone drives dangerously and 20 points are to be credited every time a person is involved in an accident. In addition, 15 points are to be deducted every time, if a person repeatedly goes over the speed limit more than twice and 10 points are to be deducted if they drive in the opposite direction of a one-way street or traffic light signals are ignored. If a person receives a total of 20 stickers for reckless driving, their license would be revoked and can only be renewed after a total of 180 days.

As policies were changed, it was also decided that if the speed limit was exceeded more than twice, the person’s vehicle would be held for a total of 48 hours and if a person is involved in an accident, their license can be taken away for a total of seven days.

Moreover, it was declared that those who disregard the rules and drive after their license has been revoked would be fined along with the owner of the vehicle and that vehicle would be held for 15 days. In addition, it was announced that foreign licenses can temporarily be used in the Maldives for 90 days.