The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Traffic and Road Safety department has eased the process through which members of the public holding expired driver’s licence can renew them.

Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, said they also allow relatives or friends of all those seeking to renew their permit, including those in the Diaspora.

"We want all people, wherever they are, not to be affected by this ongoing renewal process. However, no person can collect a licence on behalf of another; it’s the owner that has the sole right to collect the renewed permit, those in Diaspora can collect it anytime they return home,” said Ndushabandi.

To pick up a renewed licence, he explained, one is required to present the expired one and a national identity card.

So far, Traffic and Road Safety department has issued 237,824 electronic driver’s licences. At least 66,453 of these have expired while those renewed total 8,937.

Ndushabandi called on all those holding expired permits to rush to have them renewed, adding that penalties are to be applied to those driving without valid permit.

"We are currently embarking on sensitizing the public to renew their permits but the ministerial order determining the validity and requirements for renewal of driver’s licences sets a timeline – which has expired – meaning that those holding expired licence risk facing even other consequences beyond just fines,” he said.

Those who wish to renew their licence can either do it manually or electronically. To renew a licence electronically, one can use a short message service (SMS) on MTN network as follows.

Compose message, write letter "R” - leave a space - write your National Identification Number - leave a space - write the district where you will pick your renewed driver’s license - leave a space - write the RRA receipt number and send the message to 3126.

Renewing a driver licence costs Rwf5,000 paid on Rwanda Revenue Authority bank account.

Under the April 2015 Ministerial Order determining the validity, and requirements for renewal of driver licence, anyone below the age of 65 will have his or her license renewed for a period of ten years.

Those between 65 and 73 years will have their licence renewed with validity equal to the remaining years to turn 73, while persons aged 73 will be renewed up to a period of three years depending on the physical ability of the beneficiary.