Traffic department calls drivers to upgrade their driver’s license

{The Rwanda National Police (RNP) department of Traffic and Road Safety has called upon drivers especially those holding driver’s license category D, to “immediately” upgrade it as modified by the Presidential Order of 2008.}

The Presidential Order of December 2008 modifying and complementing the Presidential Decree of September 2002 regulating the general traffic police and road traffic, revised among others, driver’s license category D and introduced a new subcategory – D1.

Category D was previously provided for “eight and above” seater automobiles but didn’t provide the maximum number. Under the new Order, which was published in the national gazette on March 23, 2009, category D was served for automobiles with eight seats but not exceeding 30, in addition to the driver’s seat.

The provided D1, however, was reserved for vehicles with more than 30 seats.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kabanda, drivers that fall under this Order have been reluctant to upgrade their permit, and using category D to drive vehicles that fall under category D1, which is a breach of road safety standards.

“All those who had category D by the time of the publication of the Presidential Order (March 23, 2009), will automatically be given D1, and we appeal to them to apply for the upgrade of their driver’s license as soon as possible to prevent penalties that will be undertaken soon,” CIP Kabanda said.

To apply for the upgrade of category D to D1, CIP Kabanda said, the holder attaches the photocopy of the held permit to the application letter and delivers it to the traffic headquarters in the Nyarugenge District and the District Police Units.

“It should be clear that all those that got category D after the Order was published, will have to go through the usual system to apply and do practical tests to acquire category D1 like any other category,” he added.