Center registration made mandatory for taxi license

The Transport Ministry has made amendments to the taxi services regulations, making registration at taxi centers mandatory for issuance of taxi license.

According to the amendments published on the Government Gazette on Tuesday, taxi license will be issued only for vehicles registered with taxi centers.

The amendments require drivers to submit paperwork confirming their vehicle is registered with a taxi center.

The new amendments repealed a 2022 amendment with allowed drivers to provide taxi services without registering with a center.

The new amendments also repealed a 2023 amendment which had allowed taxis to get registered without needing to get registered to a garage by paying a MVR 10,000 fee.

The new amendments are part of reforms being rolled out following complaints over taxis overcharging customers. It follows changes to taxi fares and additional amendments to regulations.