Renewal of licences vital

The National Transport PNG

The lengthy process of renewing a driver’s licence is caused by the current system used according, to Road Traffic Authority, Registration and Licensing Manager, Wilson Wariaka.
He said a driver who has been issued a license in Mt Hagen or Lae cannot renew their driver’s license in Port Moresby as therewere no centralized data base, thus they have to go and renew their licenses in that province.
He was responding to queries raised by some PMV drivers that the process of getting their licences were length and most of the mare still waiting.
Wariaka said the same would apply for those drivers who were issued a license in Port Moresby cannot renew it in other centres.
“In solving this problem RTA has embarked on the centralized information technology system to provide a reliable database which would be used to enhance road safety and other integrated service,” he said.
He said the centralized IT system was pending approval from the Central Supply and Tenders Board.
He said the Road Traffic Authority was still waiting for the central supply and tenders board (CSTB) to approve the centralised information technology system for it to be used in Port Moresby and other centres of PNG.
The centralised IT system would improve the following:

  • Vehicle registration
  • Driver licensing
  • Heavy vehicle licensing
  • Authorized Inspection Station licensing
  • Motor Car dealer licensing
  • Enforcement
  • Road accidents database

He also appealed to PMV operators to consult the Road Traffic Authority and propose their business plan to obtain approval before venturing into business by buying a new bus.
“It is very important for operators to consult RTA to find out ifthere are vacant routes, to operate on, Currently we have 60 PMV buses operating in the 25 routes of Port Moresby,”
He said RTA will only register and issue licenses to new operators depending on the vacancy.