JUBA-Some sections of South Sudanese drivers on Sunday cried foul after the Department of Traffic Police reduced the validity of expat driving licenses from five years to one year.
This followed a circular issued on January 4, 2024, by Maj-Gen Kon John Akot, the director of traffic police, which reduced the duration of expat driving permits from five years to one year for citizens, and six months for foreign drivers.
Speaking to Sudans Post on Sunday, Bus driver, Mr. Emmanuel Junior voiced his concerns about the additional cost and inconvenience of yearly license renewals.
“He can’t just write and say what he wants. A driving license lasts for five years for citizens and one year for foreigners. If it is reduced to one year for citizens and six months for aliens, there would be no difference between citizens or foreigners,” Junior said.
Junior objected to the order, calling it unconstitutional.
“I think this order is not valid, and nobody can renew the license every year because of the economic crisis. I ask the director of traffic police to take the correct action,” he said.
He stated that in order to resolve the issue, they are thinking about meeting with the head of the traffic police.
“I advise that he revoke the one-year duration for the driving license and follow standard rules used globally, which is five years,” he said.
Another motorist, Mr. Joseph Redento, stated that before such orders are made, they should be examined and brought before parliament for approval.
“Orders are for the government’s decision-making; however, it is imperative that any decision before it is taken undergoes thorough analysis and is ultimately presented to the parliament,” said Redento.
He insisted that the traffic cops cancel the directive.
“We assumed that the country’s circumstances were the reason for the price increases, but reducing the duration of driving licenses is not the right decision,” he lamented.
According to him, driver’s licenses are often valid for three to five years.
“Because you start with a private license and renew to general after three years, and it stays for five years, now I don’t understand this law, and thus we are requesting an explanation on how they reached this,” he said.
In an effort to lessen the burden on the populace, he encouraged the administration to reevaluate the order.
“Let the government alleviate the burden on us, as any attempt to increase non-oil revenue leads to a double burden on the citizens, as revenues do not necessarily equate to filling the national coffers.”
Sections 31 and 32 of the Traffic Act, 2003, which establishes the legal framework, state that a driver’s license may be granted for a period of twelve months (1 year), three years, or five years.
