As of Monday 2nd June, 2025, all motor vehicle registrations and driver’s license services in the National Capital District (NCD) will be handled by the Road Traffic Authority (RTA). This change is part of the Marape-Rosso Government’s reforms to align with the Road Traffic Act 2014 and the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act 1974. According to John Avira, Acting CEO of RTA, this shift will simplify the process for motorists and clarify where to access key services. “This reform will enable the RTA to focus on our core functions for the public, and Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited’s (MVIL) will focus solely on providing Compulsory Third-Party motor vehicle insurance,” Mr. Avira said. “We all want to ensure that motorists know where to go for the services they need and make life easier in complying with legal requirements. MVIL has done a great job in administering these responsibilities since 1996.” RTA is stepping up and taking up these important licensing and registration functions. “The transition begins in the National Capital District and will expand around the Nation.” As of 2nd June 2025, the RTA is the sole authority for:

• New and renewed vehicle registrations;
• Issuance of number plates and changes to ownership, colour, engine or chassis;
• Licensing of all vehicle classes, including PMVs and taxis;
• Driver’s license issuance, upgrades, renewals, and reprints;
• Provision of registration-related consumables (e.g., handbooks, special plates)

All driver licenses and vehicle registration certificates previously issued by MVIL will remain valid until their current expiry date. After that, renewals must be completed through the RTA. Before registering or re-registering a vehicle with the RTA, owners must first obtain Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance from MVIL. This legal requirement remains unchanged. Please note: CTP insurance only becomes active once vehicle registration is successfully completed. At this stage, the transition applies only to the National Capital District (NCD). In other provinces, MVIL will continue to manage registrations and licenses in partnership with provincial governments, except in areas where the function has already been transferred to local authorities, such as Morobe, Milne Bay, and West New Britain.