Authorities warn action against expat taxi drivers

The Transport Ministry has warned it will take action against expatriates found to be driving taxis in violation of regulations.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry stressed that only foreigners with a resident visa and married to a Maldivian citizen are permitted to drive taxis.

Foreigners who fall into any other category are prohibited from involvement in the taxi business.

The ministry said that expatriates who aren’t authorized to drive taxis will be fined MVR 500.

Meanwhile, those involved in the private hire business will be fined a higher MVR 750.

Several state institutions, including the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), Transport Ministry and the police, engaged in emergency discussions on Tuesday, and drafted a plan to manage taxis at the country’s national airport – the Velana International Airport (VIA).

The move comes amid mounting complaints that taxis at the airport queue refuse to follow regulations.

The ministry said it has received multiple complaints about taxis, including complaints of taxi drivers refusing to travel to specific locations, taking on additional passengers, and charging higher fares than that set by the ministry.

The ministry has introduced a QR code which people can use to submit complaints, and has set up a committee to review the complaints.