President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to waive outstanding parking fines incurred between 2018 and 2023. The decision, as per the official statement from the President’s Office, comes in response to several factors, including growing concerns over rising fines due to limited parking availability, a continuous uptick in annual fine issuance, and mounting unpaid fines exacerbated by financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the government has introduced an exemption from paying parking fines, except for traffic violations. The waiver of fines, however, comes with a condition – individuals must complete a specialized training program related to the type of violation committed. This program encompasses offenses such as driving without a valid license in possession, using a lost, expired, or damaged license, and operating a vehicle without the appropriate class of driver’s license.
The duration of the training program will be determined based on the fine’s severity, with sessions conducted by the Maldives Police Service (MPS). The training period will vary from two weeks to one month. The primary aim of this initiative is to reduce the recurrence of such violations by educating those who commit traffic offenses. It is expected that this effort will enhance public awareness of traffic regulations and other essential societal issues.
