In a significant update from the Rwanda National Police (RNP), individuals will soon have the option to take their driving tests using automatic transmission vehicles. This change follows the approval of a presidential order amending the 2002 decree on traffic police and road traffic regulation. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by President Paul Kagame on Thursday, April 25.
Additionally, the cabinet has approved a Ministerial Order to update the model of the national driving licence. Under the new regulations, candidates passing their driving test in an automatic vehicle will only be licensed to drive automatics within their license category. However, those who pass in a manual transmission vehicle will be qualified to drive both manual and automatic transmission vehicles.
“The implementation date for these changes will be announced soon,” stated the RNP on X. ACP Boniface Rutikanga, the spokesperson for the Rwanda National Police, mentioned that the new decree will come into force upon its publication in the official gazette.
The police have also issued a warning regarding the misuse of driving licenses. For instance, a license holder found driving a manual vehicle without the necessary skills for tasks like hill starts will face legal penalties. Such violations are serious offenses under article 609 of the Rwandan penal code, with penalties ranging from five to seven years in prison and fines between Rwf300,000 to Rwf3 million.
