• Islamabad Traffic Police introduces new fee structure for driving licenses, with up to a 33% increase.
• Revised charges include medical fee, fast-track processing, and road test fees based on vehicle type.
• Concerns raised by legal experts and police officers regarding fee adjustments made through an office order.

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) recently introduced a new fee structure for driving licenses, sparking public discussion due to a significant increase of up to 33%. The hike is attributed to the introduction of additional service charges.

Under the revised fee structure, which can now reach up to Rs800, a portion will be allocated for the ‘welfare’ of the police department and collected in cash by the police directly. However, the standard license fee, previously set at Rs2,400, will continue to be deposited into the national exchequer through bank transactions. The police will handle the additional service charges separately, which include optional fees like the road test fee.

This decision, sanctioned by the police chief following the interior minister’s directive, extends ITP license eligibility to all citizens nationwide and implements the fee hike through an executive order. A notification from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) office, supported by the Police Executive Board’s recommendation, has made these service charges effective immediately.

The revised charges introduce a Rs200 medical fee and offer a fast-track license processing option for an additional Rs2,000. Road test fees vary by vehicle type, with charges set at Rs200 for motor cars, Rs300 for light-traffic vehicles, and Rs500 for heavy-traffic vehicles. Additionally, a road safety education session fee of Rs 200 has been introduced. For those needing a driving license no-objection certificate (NOC), a new fee of Rs1,000 has been implemented, which is necessary when changing the license issuing authority.

Furthermore, community driving school fees have seen a substantial increase, with charges for motor cars now at Rs 12,000, light-traffic vehicles at Rs 18,000, and heavy-traffic vehicles at Rs 25,000. An additional Rs200 mobile facilitation fee has been introduced for the ‘license on wheels’ service, inaugurated by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

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However, concerns have been raised by legal experts and police officers regarding the fee adjustments made through an office order. They argue that this may contravene the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, which specifies that only the federal government has the authority to enact such changes.

A police spokesperson, while confirming the role of the Police Executive Board in the decision, was unable to clarify the legal basis for the new charges. The ordinance reserves the right for fee increments and introductions to the government. The spokesperson did confirm that the service charges would be allocated to the police welfare fund.