Proposal to exempt vehicle registration fees faces opposition in Parliament

TDT | Manama

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A proposal to exempt citizens and residents from vehicle registration fees, which range from 15 to 60 Bahraini dinars depending on the type of vehicle, may get shelved by the Council of Representatives. This follows opposition from the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, which raised concerns over the potential negative impact on the state’s budget and financial balance programme.

MP Ali Al Noaimi, who introduced the proposal, explained that his intention is to alleviate financial burdens on citizens in light of rising living costs and increasing prices of goods and services. He argued that removing registration fees would provide much-needed relief to the public.

However, the committee countered by stating that vehicle registration fees are meant to cover a specific service provided to vehicle owners. They highlighted that the registration certificate functions as both an official permit and a validity certificate issued by the General Traffic Directorate, which allows vehicles to operate on the roads for the duration of the validity period, subject to legal conditions. The committee also noted that the fees are tied to the weight and type of the vehicle, as larger vehicles can cause more damage to roads and require more frequent maintenance.

The committee further emphasized that the Minister of Interior had already implemented a measure to exempt seniors from half of the fees for renewing their vehicle registration certificates and driving licenses. They also criticized the proposal for being overly broad, lacking specified criteria or standards for exempting individuals from the fee.

Before the committee’s final decision, the Ministry of Interior also expressed concerns regarding the proposal, underlining that the fees are not intended for profit but to cover the costs of services and road maintenance related to vehicle registration. The Ministry noted that the fee structure is designed to reflect the varying impacts different vehicles have on road conditions and infrastructure.

The Council of Representatives is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposal next Tuesday, with its future uncertain amid these objections.