The Maldives government has introduced new flexibilities for citizens aged 60 years and above in operating land vehicles. With this license elderly citizens can operate motorbikes and pickups.
According to the 2021 regulation on the provision of driving licenses to operate land vehicles, no provisions cited the requirement for a special license. The regulation had only set out the policies in issuing licenses for persons with disabilities.
The amendment to this regulation has introduced the new provisional element that facilitates the requirement of a special license for elderly citizens, which is extended to those who undergo a mandatory four-hour training program where the participants will be made aware of traffic regulations.
The regulation allows for easier accessibility for elderly citizens in acquiring their driving licenses without resorting to the regular channels, which generally take comparatively longer time to process.
However, the special license grants limited operational access for its holders. With the special license, the designated demographics can operate specific vehicles within permitted zones.
As such, regulation cites the permissible vehicles for the elderly citizens through the special license include motorbikes and pickups with 60CC and below. Furthermore, these licenses are localized; meaning its holders can operate the vehicles only in the island where the licenses have been issued. Additionally, these vehicles can be operated only on roads where the speed limit is mandated below 30 kilometers per hour.
These licenses will be issued for a duration of 10 years, the regulation adds. Multiple violations would result in cancellation of these licenses.