The General Transport Union (GTU) has welcomed the introduction of three-year driver’s licences in The Gambia, describing the move as a victory after years of campaigning for the government to enforce the provisions of the Motor Traffic Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, the union said the new system marked an important step towards ensuring that driver licensing practices comply with the law and better serve the interests of drivers and other transport workers.
The new licences are scheduled to be introduced on Wednesday, October 7, starting in Banjul and Kanifing before extending to other parts of the country. The fee for a three-year licence has been set at D2,550.
The GTU said it began raising the issue publicly in September 2022, drawing attention to Section 27(3) of the Motor Traffic Act. The provision states that a driver’s licence, except a provisional licence, should remain valid for three years from the date of issue.
According to the union, the previous system generally required drivers to renew their licences annually, with licences expiring on December 31 regardless of when they had been issued. The GTU maintained that the arrangement did not reflect the requirements of the law.
The union said it pursued the matter through letters, meetings with officials, consultations and public awareness campaigns, urging the authorities to bring licensing procedures into line with the legislation.
During discussions with the government in 2024, the GTU said it was informed that an interim arrangement would allow licences to remain valid for a full year from the date of issue, rather than expiring at the end of the calendar year.
Although the union accepted that measure as a temporary improvement, it continued to push for the full three-year validity period stipulated in the law.
“The government has now announced the introduction of a new driver’s license system, providing for a three-year validity period,” the union said.
Under the announced schedule, licensing centres in Banjul and Kanifing will begin issuing the new licences on October 7. Brikama is scheduled to follow on October 12, while Soma and Farafenni will start on October 19. Janjanbureh and Basse are expected to begin issuing them on October 22.
The GTU commended the government and the institutions involved in implementing the change, arguing that public administration must remain consistent with the laws governing the country.
It also said the development demonstrated how sustained pressure from workers’ representatives, combined with dialogue with the authorities, could lead to changes benefiting the transport sector.
The union added that it would continue to monitor the implementation of the new system and bring any difficulties to the attention of the relevant authorities. It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting fairness, transparency and respect for the law in the transport industry.