Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Drivers sick of waiting for licences

Drivers sick of waiting for licences

A person examines a driver's licence in Phnom Penh in January.
A person examines a driver's licence in Phnom Penh in January. Heng Chivoan

Drivers sick of waiting for licences

The Transport Ministry has been overwhelmed with drivers seeking to get their licences and avoid fines since the new Traffic Law was rolled out at the beginning of the year, its minister said yesterday.

Speaking at a meeting in Phnom Penh yesterday to review the progress of the new law, Minister for Public Works and Transport Tram Iv Tek said that every time there is an announcement of tighter enforcement, drivers flood the ministry requesting their licences to be processed quicker.

“[The ministry] cannot produce it in a timely manner when people flock there . . . because they’re concerned about fines,” he said.

The minister noted that Facebook users were also complaining about the process.“This is one of the challenges that we need to solve,” he said, without going into detail on how that would be done.

Meanwhile, Banteay Meanchey provincial police chief Ath Khem reported a more mundane problem with the law’s rollout: motorbike drivers were selective about wearing helmets.

“When they see us they wear them, but when we are not present they do not wear them,” he explained.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the