Joint Public Notice: MVIL Resumpition of Motor Vehicle Registraton and Driver's License Services in NCD, August 2025

The general public is hereby advised that consistent with the Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape’s media release dated 31st July, 2025 and following instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Secretary; effective Monday 11th August, 2025, MVIL will assume and provide motor vehicle registration and driver licensing services in NCD. 

Both Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL) and the Road Traffic Authority (RTA) have ironed out the key operational arrangements to give effective to the Prime Minister’s directive. This arrangement will see both agencies reporting periodically to the Office of the Chief Secretary.

The Office of Chief Secretary will provide periodic oversight to ensure key milestones set out in the directive issued by the Department of Prime Minister and the National Executive Council, results in the legislative mandate of MVIL and RTA being preserved and the agencies provide an effective and efficient service to the motoring public in NCD.

During this period, RTA will remain focus on its regulatory functions which includes, but is not limited to:

1.      Licensing of Motor Car Dealers;

2.      Issuance of letters of exemption for imported used cars for registration purposes;.

3.      Licensing of heavy vehicles;

4.      Licensing of PMVs and taxis;

5.      Licensing of motor vehicle inspection stations; and

6.      Enforcement of RTA Regulations applicable to motor vehicle registration, re-registration, driver licensing, compliance of road rules and safety. 

MVIL will be responsible for:

1.      Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) insurance services;

2.      Issuance of registration plates for registration purpose;.

3.      Registration of new and used imported motor vehicles by motor car dealers, business organizations and individuals (referred to as new business);

4.      Re-registration of expired motor vehicle registration (referred to as renewal);

5.      Registration for change of motor vehicle ownership, plate, colour, engine, and chassis (referred to as endorsement);

6.      Issuance of drivers’ licenses for all license classes (except heavy vehicle licensing); and 

All motor vehicle registration and re-registration certificates and driver’s licenses issued by RTA prior to 11th August, 2025 are valid until these expire. Upon expiration and consistent with the Road Traffic (Offences and Penalties) Regulation 2017, motorists and license holders must renew their vehicle registration and licenses as a condition to operate motor vehicles.

Under Schedule 1 of the Road Traffic (Offences and Penalties) Regulation 2017, unlicensed drivers are required to pay an infringement fee of K500 when caught by RTA and may face an additional penalty fee up to K2,500.00, if prosecuted in the court. Under Schedule 3 of the same Regulation, a person driving an unregistered motor vehicle faces the same penalty.

Similarly, CTP insurance stickers issued by MVIL prior to 11th August, 2025 remain valid until these expires. These must be immediately renewed with MVIL as required under the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Insurance) Act 1974.

Under Section 48 of the MVIL Act, all owners of the uninsured motor vehicle assume full liability and are required to pay the prescribed penalty fee of K200.00 if caught driving an uninsured motor vehicle. In addition, when caught and prosecuted in the court of law for driving an uninsured motor vehicle, Section 59 (1) of the MVIL Act provides the courts with the option
to further impose a fine of K500.00 or a default penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.

All vehicle owners are kindly advised to adhere to the prevailing laws and regulations. In addition, to ensure MVIL processes your CTP insurance and vehicle registration applications in a timely manner, please observe the following tips.

1.      Come prepared with all your key documents. If unsure, seek guidance beforehand by making an email or telephone enquiry with our customer service staff. Email info@mvil.com.pg or contact telephone 302 4600.

2.      Ensure to correctly complete the relevant forms beforehand and bring these along with your supporting documents as per MVIL’s exiting checklist require- ments.

3.      If you are an individual intending to insure or register your new/used vehicle, ensure to complete Form 7A and Form 7C.

4.      If you are a non-individual (i.e. Company, NGOs, Faith Based Organization, Diplomatic Missions, Development Partners, Land Owner Group, Community, Government Agencies, Provincial and District Administrations, LLGs, Motor Car Dealers, etc) intending to insure or register a new/used vehicle, ensure to complete Form 7B and Form 7C.

5.      Copies of Forms 7A, 7B and 7C, including relevant customer checklists can be obtained by contacting our customer service
staff on the email and telephone number provided above. These can also be obtained from our website: www.mvil.com.pg or from our customer service centers at our Hohola, Vision City and Gordons (within Central Province Traffic Authority) branches.