Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has warned vehicle owners of penalties if they fail to complete vehicle ownership transfer registration by the end of February 2026. The warning was issued on January 27, in Kigali, during a press briefing by Jean Paulin Uwitonze, RRA's Deputy Commissioner in charge of Taxpayer Services and Communications, alongside the Rwanda National Police spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga. ALSO READ: New bill sets timeline for vehicle ownership transfer The briefing focused on a special assistance programme targeting owners of vehicles that have not formally undergone ownership transfer registration or are no longer in use on the road. The special assistance programme began on January 26 and will run until February 28, 2026. The authorities urged concerned vehicle owners to take advantage of the window to ensure full compliance with legal requirements before enforcement measures take effect. Uwitonze cautioned that after the deadline, owners of vehicles that are not properly registered may face various sanctions. He particularly encouraged those who have not yet applied for ownership transfer registration to do so promptly, noting that applicants will receive notifications indicating the service site where they will be assisted. ALSO READ: How could new bill end issues in vehicle ownership transfers? ACP Rutikanga underscored that completing ownership transfer registration is essential for road safety and legal compliance, ensuring that all vehicle details are accurately recorded in the rightful owner’s name. To facilitate the exercise, the number of service sites has been expanded to four in the City of Kigali—up from one previously—and 14 others across all provinces where vehicle services are usually provided. All sites will operate from Monday to Saturday. Uwitonze explained that vehicle owners who had previously secured appointments are being contacted through sms specifying their service dates and that all pending cases will have been handled by end of next week. However, he warned that those who have not even applied should expect strict enforcement after the grace period. “If a vehicle not registered in a person’s name, legally, it is not their property,” he said. ALSO READ: This is how vehicle owners will pay road maintenance levy if new bill is passed He also urged individuals—especially those who have sold vehicles—to ensure the assets are removed from their names. Warning against non-compliance in tax payment Uwitonze warned taxpayers who have failed to pay the annual road maintenance levy despite remaining listed in RRA records. He warned that unpaid taxes are being recalculated with penalties, in accordance with the law, for those who failed to settle their obligations within the required period – by December 2025. In some cases, he said, registered owners argue that tax arrears should be borne by buyers to whom vehicles were sold. However, RRA continues to hold the registered owner responsible until formal ownership transfer is completed. “That is why we urge anyone who sold a vehicle to apply for ownership transfer registration during this special service period, so that the transfer is finalised and tax arrears are cleared,” Uwitonze said. He added that, if need necessary, some vehicles may be impounded and taxpayers with outstanding arrears may also be listed with Transunion Rwanda (formerly Credit Reference Bureau – CRB) as part of enforcement efforts. Some of the challenges to deal with Uwitonze outlined several challenges affecting ownership transfer registration, including cases where sellers have died, moved abroad and declined to issue powers of attorney, or refused to participate in the formal transfer process. He also highlighted situations where buyers unknowingly purchase vehicles with outstanding tax arrears. Under RRA procedures, he said, vehicles with unpaid tax arrears cannot be transferred unless there is a clear alternative recovery mechanism, with such vehicles treated as collateral for the unpaid taxes. He said RRA has guidelines to address these challenges and urged affected individuals to report their cases so that solutions can be applied. Where sellers cannot be traced, RRA will seek to locate them or, if necessary, proceed with ownership transfer through publicly notified procedures to prevent future disputes, he stated. ALSO READ: Vehicles registered in Rwanda pass 390,000 ACP Rutikanga said failure to complete ownership transfer often leads to police issuing traffic fines to the wrong individuals. He cited cases where former owners continue to receive penalties for vehicles they sold years ago. He also raised concerns over impounded vehicles, including those involved in offences such as smuggling, drug trafficking, or hit-and-run incidents, where the registered owner is not the actual offender. Similar issues arise with stolen vehicles that are resold without formal ownership transfer, leaving them registered under previous owners. Rutikanga said the problem affects various vehicle categories, including motorcycles, small and large vehicles, which has prompted authorities to introduce the special assistance period before stricter enforcement begins. He added some individuals possess sale agreements while a vehicle registration card remains in another person’s name, underscoring the need for formal ownership transfer. Meanwhile, a road traffic bill passed by Parliament on January 5 seeks to introduce clear timelines for vehicle ownership transfer. The bill is awaiting presidential assent and publication in the Official Gazette to become enforceable law. A draft ministerial order supporting the law proposes a 90-day deadline for ownership transfer after vehicle sales conducted once the law takes effect. For vehicle transactions completed before the law comes into force, the order proposes a 12-month transition period to resolve existing ownership issues.
