Egypt will cut private driving licence costs by up to EGP 500 and car licensing costs by EGP 400-600, as part of efforts to simplify services and ease citizens' financial burdens. The new procedures, which start on Thursday, will cover the issuance and renewal of all types of driving and vehicle licences at traffic units nationwide. This move follows President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives to reduce the financial burden on citizens.
The Interior Ministry stated that applicants will make a single electronic payment at one counter, with information boards displaying the amount payable by licence category. This eliminates the need for additional payments during the remaining licensing stages, except for traffic fines issued by the Traffic Prosecution. The ministry will also remove the requirement to present a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and reflective warning triangle when obtaining or renewing licences.
The cost reductions cover both issuing and renewing private driving licences and car licences. Specifically, licensing costs for light motorcycles will fall to EGP 500 from EGP 700, while those for motorcycles will decrease to EGP 500 from EGP 750. These changes aim to make services easier and more affordable for citizens.
The announcement follows Interior Minister Major General Mahmoud Tawfik's presentation of a plan to overhaul traffic services during El-Sisi's meeting with the cabinet and governors. Tawfik said the ministry had completed an integrated plan to simplify procedures and reduce expenditure, explaining that applicants would complete all licensing payments at one counter.
The new single-window traffic services are part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and accessibility of government services. Earlier measures include the launch of a biometric identity-verification app for government digital services in February and the introduction of services through the Ana Vodafone app in July.
The Interior Ministry's plan to simplify traffic services and reduce costs was prompted by El-Sisi's observations about the existing traffic system. The minister stressed the need to make services easier to access and lower the costs of obtaining licences. The trial procedures are expected to cut licensing costs and make services easier for citizens.
The Egyptian government has been taking steps to boost competitiveness and attract investment. The introduction of single-window traffic services and reduced licensing costs are part of these efforts, which aim to improve the business environment and enhance the quality of life for citizens.
Key points
- Egypt cuts private driving and car licensing costs by up to EGP 500 and EGP 400-600 respectively.
- The new single-window traffic services will cover the issuance and renewal of all types of driving and vehicle licences nationwide.
- The trial procedures aim to simplify services, reduce expenditure, and make services easier for citizens.
