Revered Buddhist Monks, Dear compatriots,
Let me start by wishing you all the best for New Year as well as the 37th anniversary of the victory day – 7 January 1979/2016. I have the need to give you additional comments on what I have already decided, and some new questions I have received on Facebook.
No Need to Have Driving License for 125CC and Below Motorcycles
I wish to clarify issues relating to elimination of driving license for those who possess and use motorcycles (with cylinder volume) of 125cc and below. Seeing that the decision would not only relieve people’s hardships – procedure and money wise, but also reduce amount of works to do for our officials, after my discussion with other leaders, I have decided to remove the need to obtain driving license for those who operate motorcycles (with cylinder volume) of 125cc and below. Those operates motorcycles (with cylinder volume) larger than 125cc, they will require driving license as car drivers too. There is more problem regarding the fact that, some people complained, in a family of three or four eligible drivers (with only one driving license) to drive the family’s only bike (which would require them to pay more to obtain driving licenses).
Refund for Issued and Not-Yet Issued Driving Licenses
There have been questions, and (I) already answered, by Facebook users about whether they could get a refund for what they already paid for obtaining driving license – either they already obtained them or not yet. My response should answer more than what you have asked for. Firstly, those of you who already paid money but have not yet taken test and obtained the license, I invite you to take the money back. Secondly, those of you who have received driving license and wish to get a refund too may also collect the money back upon returning the license to concerned authority. They have to return the license. This will prevent bad people from using it to demand refund inappropriately.
Should they want their money back, they must give the license already issued and obtained to concerned authority, upon which they will refund the officially prescribed payment. If you have paid someone extra to obtain it, please understand that it is not the state’s responsibility (to pay you the extra). I have instructed Minister of Economy and Finance to discuss with Minister of Public Works and Transports and concerned sections to resolve this matter as soon as can be done. (As I have already shared with you here) this decision will only wait for inter-ministerial notification from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Public Works and Transports.
We have some three million people using motorcycles these days and about 150,000 of them have driving licenses. As for Phnom Penh, there are 1.2 million motorcycles drivers, of which 110,000 have driving license. There are over one million of them do not have driving license yet. Now there is no need to file for driving license anymore. We are busy working on issuing people their ID cards, which they will use for their business as needed and for the forthcoming elections. (Removing the need to have driving license for motorcycle of 125cc cylinder volume and below) will not only save money but they will not need them at all.
Driving License for Cars May Be Half Current Charged Price
As for questions about whether the cost of obtaining a driving license would go lower than the currently charged price, I can say at this moment that it will go down at least half of the currently charged price. I discussed this issue with Minister of Economy and Finance like on 30 December or a week ago. (As for questions about) whether it is still necessary to have medical checkup in order to have driving license for vehicles and motorcycles with their cylinder volumes larger than 125cc, I would say yes it is necessary because they will be drivers.
However, I am calling on our people to learn traffic law. To have or not have driving license is one matter but to know traffic law and get skill to drive them would prevent traffic accidents from happening. Obtaining driving license without skills to drive or respect no traffic law – either from over-speeding or overloading, would cause accidents. It is important in this case to raise awareness of traffic law and possess driving skill.
Decision Made Before Law Amendment for Urgent Need
Some have asked why the law does not allow more than three sitting in the back row of a car. Well, this is a norm required by every country in the world. Please understand it. In fact, let me say here, we have done thing a step ahead. In fact, we had to amend the law first. However, because there is urgent demand from millions of people, the Royal Government issued a decision to cancel required driving license (for 125cc and below cylinder volume motorcycles) and will seek law amendment later. Samdech Krola Haom (Sar Kheng), Minister of Interior is leading the law amendment team the soonest he can.
Some Demands Can’t Be Met for Law
Let me clarify that this is how much the Royal Government can do. As in the case of some who borrowed money from bank to buy tax-evading motorcycles, subjects of law enforcement, and asked for Prime Minister’s help, please understand that help is impossible. If help is to give to those who evade tax on cars and motorcycles, those who pay tax properly will not be happy and will ask for refund. I hope you understand that. The Royal Government appeals for enforcement of implementation of tax-paying culture, not only cars or motorbikes but road tax too in this matter. This request made into my Facebook and I will not be able to offer help because law obliges tax payment. I hope you understand this point. If anyone had yet to pay tax, please hurry to do so. It is the same for cars.
Let me clarify one more point. The other day I already mentioned something about right-hand drive vehicles. I stated clearly “all right-hand drive vehicles currently identified in Cambodia” and not only the some four hundreds trucks. All sorts of right-hand drive vehicles operating in Cambodia – I am inviting their owners to go pay tax (and get them officially registered). What I am resolute of is not to bring in more. Any right-hand drive vehicles imported after this will be facing legal action […]
Owners of Motorcycles Lend Them at Own Trust
… There was a concern that in a family of five eligible drivers, for example, and they have only none motorbike to operate. As we remove the need to acquire driving license for 125cc and below cylinder volume motorcycles, people can share or lend their bikes to anyone that they trust. There is no need for them to acquire certification of local authority or concerned institutions to prove their decision. The point is if the owner of that bike allows his brother or sister, or friend to use it or not? Well in case of robbery, concerned authority will take action. I think this should now clear the concern. I am sure you do not doubt this anymore. If the authority would do it otherwise, on the contrary, they would be running counter to legal interest of the people authorized by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia to relieve them from hardships concerned.
Learn and Obey Traffic Law to Avoid Accidents
As far as requests that people brought to my attention, I have resolved them now. The only case that I could not help is concerning with tax-evading motorcycles or cars. Issues about driving license for 125cc and below cylinder volume motorcycles and refunding already resolved. As I have done this much to help our people, I may seek everyone’s cooperation to learn and respect traffic law. Having a great deal of knowledge of traffic law would still have accidents if they do not respect and use it. Please respect your life and those of others […]
I thank our compatriots for their understanding and opinions. Hope our people will benefit from the forgiveness (of paying for driving license) from the Royal Government. Thank You.
