MP proposes to impose driving fee on expats

Manama : A fee of BD100 should be imposed on expat drivers to reduce traffic congestions and create new revenues for the Kingdom, a Bahraini lawmaker recently stated.

As a solution to the existing traffic issue in the Kingdom, Member of Parliament Jalal Kadhim submitted a parliamentary proposal to impose a fee of BD100 on non-Bahraini drivers to use the roads of Bahrain.

“The proposal should be looked into instead of being in the drawers of the council’s committees for such a long period,” the MP said, adding that he had submitted the proposal along with MP Ghazi Al Rahma in 2015.

“MPs should come up with legislations and solutions to the traffic congestion dilemma instead of frequently praising the authorities,” he stressed.

Kadhim had told DT News earlier that his proposal aims to “impose fees on expat drivers and to double the fees of their vehicles’ registration, driving learning licenses and driving licenses”.

In order to make this effective, the proposal stipulates amending some of the provisions mentioned in Article 23 of the existing Traffic Law.

“This would sure be a great source of income to the State budget, which is going through tight circumstances at this time,” Jalal Kadhim said.

He stressed that the revenues earned through such a law would contribute in financing infrastructure and key projects in the country. 

“It’s a better option to implement such projects instead of sinking in debts. It would lighten the financial burdens on the budget,” he added.

“The law is not new and has been implemented successfully in other countries in the world, including Jordan and Malaysia.”

Kadhim had also submitted several proposals to increase the state revenues earlier, such as imposing a BD400 fee on non-Bahraini pupils studying in public schools.