Traffic fines above MVR 10K can be paid off with community service

Police state Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) reserves the right to ask the court for those with traffic fines amounting to more than MVR 10,000 to be allowed to pay off their fines with community service. 

In an appearance on RaajjeTV on Monday night, Traffic Department’s Sub-Inspector Tholhath Ahmed said that the police deal with traffic fines in accordance with the Public Finance Regulation. 

Tholhath said that a new amendment classifies fines imposed under Land Transport Act a civil fine owed to the State. 

“This means Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) reserves the right to sue the offender. And then, if the fines owed by an individual amounts to over MVR 10,000, MIRA reserves the right to ask the court to force the individual to do community service,” he said. 

Authorities will also decide how community service hours will go towards paying off the fines. 

“For example, we decide the individual will work with WAMCO workers or the police. And then it will be decided that eight hours of community service will go towards paying off a specific amount,” he said. 

Tholhath described the amendment as an important revision which allows for people without the financial means to pay off fines an alternative.