Government Cuts Motorbike Driving Permit Fees: Major Relief for Riders
The Ugandan government has announced a significant reduction in driving permit fees for motorbikes, effective August 1, 2024. This change affects categories A, A1, and B1, which include various types of motorcycles and tricycles.
Waiswa Bageya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, shared the new fee structure in a statement released on July 31, 2024. The reduced fees are aimed at easing the financial burden on motorbike riders, particularly boda boda operators.
Under the new fee structure, the cost for a learner’s driving licence has been reduced from sh60,000 to sh40,000. For a full driving licence valid for one year, the fee has decreased from sh135,000 to sh100,000. A three-year licence now costs sh130,000, down from sh230,000, and a five-year licence is reduced from sh330,000 to sh250,000.
Renewal fees have also been cut significantly. Renewing a licence for one year will now cost sh70,000, compared to the previous fee of sh130,000. For three years, the cost is sh100,000, down from sh210,000, and for five years, it is sh200,000, reduced from sh310,000.
The fee for duplicating a licence or extending an expiring one is set at sh60,000. This is a reduction from the previous replacement fee of sh121,000.
Bageya clarified that these new fees apply only to the A, A1, and B1 categories. Fees for other vehicle categories remain unchanged, and standard fees will apply when upgrading from these motorbike licences to other vehicle categories.
This move follows a promise made by President Yoweri Museveni in May 2024 to address high driving licence costs. During a pass-out ceremony for boda boda leaders in Kampala and Wakiso, Museveni committed to lowering the fees in response to complaints from riders about the financial burden of acquiring and renewing their licences.
The President’s pledge came after Frank Mawejje, the chairman of boda boda riders in Kampala, highlighted the issue of impounded bikes due to costly driving licences. Museveni assured that the fees would be adjusted to alleviate the challenges faced by motorbike operators.
