The Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority has officially announced the suspension of driver's license bans, which had previously sparked widespread fairness concerns among motorists as they were enforced exclusively in Addis Ababa while remaining unimplemented in other regional states.
The authority made this decision in connection with the implementation of the digital traffic control and penalty enforcement system established under Council of Ministers Regulation No. 557/2016. Under the regulation, drivers previously had their licenses suspended either due to repeated violations reaching the point ceiling or due to time elapsed.
Additionally, drivers wishing to have points deducted by taking early training before reaching their point limit could have their suspensions lifted upon presenting certification of completing both vocational skill training sessions, in accordance with Article 96, Sub-articles 1 and 2 of the regulation.
However, because this national regulation was not implemented in other regions of the country and was applied solely to traffic violators driving within Addis Ababa, it generated significant questions of fairness.
Acknowledging this public grievance and fairness concern, the authority reported the matter to the Road Safety Fund Service, which responded with a letter, numbered 1904/18 and dated 23/11/2018.
In its response, the service indicated that a comprehensive directive had been under preparation to make the process of license suspension and rehabilitation training for repeat violators successful and equitable.
The directive has now completed its approval stages and has been sent to the Ministry of Justice; to establish a uniform system across other regional states as well, it was announced that the enforcement of driver's license suspensions should be temporarily halted in its entirety.
Accordingly, while all monetary fines for traffic violations remain fully in force, the authority has confirmed that pending the approval and distribution of the detailed implementation directive the suspension of driver's license qualifications is temporarily halted for all cases except for drivers who have caused traffic accidents.
This temporary freeze covers licenses previously suspended or subject to future suspension due to accumulation of points or duration (remaining unpaid for 6 months).
The authority further stated that drivers whose licenses are currently in their possession and who have cleared all their outstanding penalty payments can visit their nearest branch office to apply and have the suspension officially lifted.
However, the authority strongly cautioned that driving without clearing payments and without having the suspension officially lifted is strictly prohibited.
