The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has introduced a wheel tax amnesty for numerous motor vehicles that were not in use during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the government’s 2024–2025 National Budget initiative.
Effective from August 1, 2024, and continuing until July 31, 2025, this program aims to ease the financial burden on car owners by eliminating accrued wheel tax arrears.
The amnesty was established through Legal Notice No. 73 of the Land Transport (Fees & Penalties) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, allowing vehicle owners to reactivate their vehicles without the concern of unpaid wheel fees.
Irimaia Rokosawa, LTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, stated that this initiative underscores the government’s commitment to assisting citizens in their economic recovery post-pandemic.
“The wheel tax amnesty provides significant relief for vehicle owners, enabling them to utilize their vehicles without being weighed down by accumulated arrears,” Rokosawa emphasized.
The amnesty will cover wheel tax arrears for vehicles that expired between July 4, 2016, and July 31, 2023, and includes the Road User Levy as well as fees under the Accident Compensation Act 2017. The waiver applies to arrears from July 4, 2016, to the vehicle’s inspection date within the amnesty timeframe.
For vehicles that expired on or before July 3, 2016, arrears will accumulate from the expiration date until July 3, 2016. Additionally, charges will apply to vehicles registered between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
Owners wishing to benefit from the amnesty must first pay for a vehicle inspection application, renew their Motor Vehicle Accident Levy (MVAL), and settle any outstanding fines. Once these requirements are met, vehicles can be inspected to ensure compliance with safety standards at an approved agency or LTA inspection center.
“Passing the inspection will result in the issuance of a Certificate of Road Worthiness (CORW) or a Certificate of Fitness (COF), allowing the vehicle to be legally driven on public roads,” Rokosawa stated.
It is important to note that this amnesty does not extend to vehicles deregistered by the LTA due to breaches of the Land Transport Act of 1998, or to those whose registration was suspended, transferred, or canceled by court order.
Despite the financial relief provided by the amnesty, Rokosawa reiterated that ensuring road safety remains the LTA’s primary focus.
For more details regarding the wheel tax amnesty, vehicle owners can reach out to the following LTA representatives:
– Acting Regional Manager Central Eastern – Mr. Mosese Foalo (9905478)
– Acting Regional Manager West – Mr. Kolinio Levaci Sr (9331353)
– Acting Regional Manager North – Mr. Sevuloni Waituruturu (9983732)
– Manager Customer Service – Ms. Kavita Shah (9904605)