The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has responded to concerns raised by drivers and transport operators by reducing vehicle-related fines from Sh250,000 to Sh150,000, in a move aimed at improving cooperation and service delivery in the transport sector.
The new measure, announced at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), reflects LATRA’s efforts to create a fairer regulatory environment while maintaining discipline and safety on the country’s roads.
LATRA Director General Dr Habibu Suluo said the decision followed feedback from drivers who had raised concerns over the impact of the previous penalties.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Sabasaba grounds on July 6, 2026, Dr Suluo said the authority had taken the concerns seriously and reviewed the penalty structure to ensure that enforcement measures support rather than discourage transport operators.
“Last year at this exhibition, we listened to drivers who told us that the fines imposed by LATRA were becoming a challenge. We have now reviewed them, and from July 1, 2026, fines have been reduced from Sh250,000 to Sh150,000,” he said.
He said the adjustment was part of wider reforms being implemented by LATRA to improve its relationship with road users and ensure that transport regulations are understood and followed.
Dr Suluo explained that LATRA had also introduced a more corrective approach, where drivers committing certain offences would first receive warnings instead of immediate penalties. The warnings would be recorded in the authority’s system, and further action would only be taken if the same driver repeatedly violated road regulations.
The move is expected to encourage drivers to improve their conduct while giving them an opportunity to correct mistakes through education and guidance.
According to Dr Suluo, the authority has strengthened its monitoring system to track drivers’ behaviour and identify repeated offences, enabling enforcement actions to be based on accurate records.
“We want to provide education first so that when action is taken, there are no unnecessary complaints. Our goal is to improve road safety and ensure better transport services for citizens,” he said.
The LATRA chief also urged drivers and members of the public attending Sabasaba to visit the authority’s pavilion to learn more about its services, regulations and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the transport sector.
The reforms come as part of broader efforts to make transport services more efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of both passengers and operators.
