Cameroon’s Ministry of Transport has officially discredited reports claiming that the fee for a driving license will surge from 5,000 to 25,000 FCFA. The Ministry of Transportation’s communication division issued this clarification in a release on Monday, November 13, 2023.
The release addressed the circulation of information on social media, asserting that the stamp fee for a Driver’s License would escalate from 5,000 FCFA to 25,000 FCFA starting January 2024. “The Ministry of Transport brings to the attention of national and international public opinion that this is FAKE NEWS,” emphasised the release, adding that “there are no plans to increase the stamp duty on the Driver’s licence.”
This development follows recent strike actions by Driving school trade unionists in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, expressing their dissatisfaction with government-imposed measures. Their primary grievance centred around the government’s decision to conduct special examinations for the issuance of driving licences, which they deemed contrary to existing regulations.
Moreover, the authorities reduced the mandatory training period from 8 to 4 months, sparking concerns among the trade unionists. As of now, the Transport Ministry has not officially responded to the grievances raised by the driving school trade unionists.
The Ministry of Transport’s recent debunking of the rumoured licence fee increase has brought relief to many, sparing them from the potential burden of exorbitant costs for a driving licence stamp.
Despite the government’s response, the trade unionists remain resolute in their efforts, vowing to persist until their concerns are officially addressed. As tensions mount between the driving school trade unionists and the government, the impact of these protests on driving education and licencing policies remains uncertain. This underscores the urgency for dialogue and resolution in the coming days.
