Mauritius Launches Online Licensing and Road Tax System for Taxi Operators

Mauritius has launched a new Motor Vehicle Licence (MVL) System that allows taxi operators to renew their licences and pay road tax online as part of efforts to accelerate the digitalisation of public services.

The system was launched in Port Louis in the presence of Minister of Land Transport Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed and Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation Dr Avinash Ramtohul. An official website for the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund (TOWF) was also unveiled to provide taxi operators with information about the Fund and its programmes.

The new digital platform is expected to reduce the need for taxi operators to visit Post Offices and National Land Transport Authority (NLTA) offices for licensing and payment services. It will also create a database of taxi operators and support the government’s broader efforts to move public services online.

Minister Mahomed highlighted the importance of taxi operators to Mauritius’ transport system, particularly during emergencies, and stressed the need to strengthen their welfare through the TOWF. The Fund provides medical assistance, death grants, hardship support and educational grants to taxi operators and their families.

The transport ministry is also working with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation on several other digitalisation initiatives, including online tax declaration payments, the penalty-point system, digital driving licences and a fleet management system.

Mahomed said the existing NLTA system is outdated and that a tender has been launched to upgrade its capabilities. The two ministries are also working on cashless ticketing and a smart parking application aimed at improving efficiency across the transport sector.

The government is also considering regulations for online taxi-booking platforms. About 3,000 taxi operators are already registered on an electronic platform, highlighting the growing use of digital services within the sector.

Minister Ramtohul said the initiative aligns with Mauritius’ Digital Transformation Blueprint, which seeks to modernise public services and make them more accessible. He encouraged taxi operators to register on MAUPASS to gain easier access to digital government services.

The minister also pointed to services already available through the KOREK super app, including AI-powered water-leak reporting, real-time electricity supply information, the penalty-point system and online driving licence services.

The TOWF, established under the TOWF Act 2021, currently has 6,567 registered members out of 7,802 taxi operators in Mauritius.