The issue of vehicle registration in Malé City has been a persistent problem that has gradually garnered attention over the years. With a population of 211,908, as recorded in 2022, and an administrative area of just 8.30 square kilometers (3.20 square miles), Malé is not only one of the most densely populated cities in the world but also a place where the status symbol of owning expensive and fast vehicles prevails. 

Unfortunately, many of these vehicles often exceed the limited space available on the narrow roads and small lanes of the capital. It has come to light that a widespread practice involving bribes has emerged in the vehicle importation and registration process. Importers, customs officials, the Ministry of Transport, the Malé City Council, and other administrative bodies have allegedly participated in a scheme that allows old vehicles to be imported while being legally registered as new. This deception is facilitated through the alteration of documentation, payment of duties as damaged vehicles, and the registration of these vehicles under the names of non-existent garages. Accusations have been directed at vehicle owners, importers, and even civil servants for their roles in this corrupt registration system.

Currently, Malé is home to over 64,000 motorcycles, more than 4,500 cars and vans, and approximately 2,500 other vehicles such as pick-ups and lorries. While each vehicle is supposed to require a valid garage and undergo inspections from both the Malé City Council and the Transport Ministry, a troubling number of four-wheel vehicles have been registered using fake garage letters, indicating that many inspections have indeed been overlooked. For instance, it is not uncommon for multiple vehicles to be registered at a single parking location, demonstrating that the actual capacity of many garages is far exceeded.

The issue gained significant traction amid political rivalries when various parties began to make grand promises to the public. As competition increased, individual parties started to waive traffic violation fines and ultimately paused the implementation of traffic violation stickers. The dismantling of the traffic police department contributed to a growing sense of lawlessness, with individuals taking liberties in parking and failing to adhere to proper registration procedures. Reports have surfaced of multiple vehicles bearing the same license plates, indicating that some of these vehicles are not registered in any official system.

The ongoing bribery involved in vehicle registration has persisted for years, with a shocking number of vehicles entering Malé without proper documentation or garage affiliation. The roads and lanes are now overwhelmed with an excessive number of vehicles, leading to major traffic problems that have compounded over time. More than two decades ago, installment plans for motorcycles were introduced, resulting in a remarkable increase in the number of two-wheelers—now exceeding 60,000 due to relaxed regulations amid competitive pressures among sellers.

The burgeoning vehicle population has become a pressing issue that demands urgent attention from both the public and government officials. 

Without decisive action to tackle corruption and ensure proper regulation, the challenges posed by the congested roads of Malé will only escalate, impacting the daily lives of its inhabitants and the overall functionality of this bustling city.

The purchasing of vehicles has undeniably become more accessible, presenting opportunities for many individuals. However, this convenience has resulted in overwhelming the already congested roads of Malé.

With the removal of parking stickers due to claims of insufficient parking space, residents have increasingly parked their vehicles wherever they see fit—blocking driveways, shops, offices, and even occupying corners and main roads. This freedom to park without oversight has led to a chaotic scene where there seems to be no regard for traffic laws or regulations.

The situation worsened in late 2023 when designated paid parking lots were established across various roads in Malé, further contributing to congestion. These lots, leased to the park these garage less vehicles, consumed a significant portion of each road, creating an illusion of legitimate parking space for vehicles, including many that were parked there illegally. As these arrangements unfolded, the influx of luxury cars into Malé skyrocketed, with numerous models including American Dodge, Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Brabus becoming prevalent. Strikingly, many of these vehicles are owned by young individuals who often lack stable employment or verifiable sources of income. Yet, the absence of regulatory scrutiny enables such ownership as long as individuals possess the financial means to navigate the registration process through the City Council and the Transport Ministry. The average cost to secure a parking space has reportedly soared to around 60,000 MVR.

Additionally, vehicles imported through regional ports benefit from duty-free levies, simplifying the registration process within those zones (such as Addu City or the southern atolls). However, many owners bring these vehicles to the Malé zone using boats while neglecting to update their registration. Instead of adhering to the proper processes, some owners bypass regulations by issuing their own Malé zone license plates, while others resort to duplicating the license plates of legally registered vehicles. The prevalence of multiple vehicles bearing the same registration number has become a rampant issue.

In response to the growing crisis, police and authorities have initiated the towing of vehicles left abandoned on public roads. However, due to the influence of prominent individuals, including politicians, the government has permitted all vehicles to be relocated to designated parking areas in Hulhumalé. This arrangement is intended to accommodate illegal vehicles awaiting proper registration and allow for new vehicles to be legally registered.

The complexity of this issue extends beyond what one might initially perceive, yet it remains solvable if authorities enforce the necessary regulations. A wrong is a wrong, regardless of who commits it. A starting point would be to halt all illegally registered vehicles and ensure a thorough inspection process. Authorities should either cancel the registration of these vehicles or establish a defined timeframe for owners to rectify their status.

By implementing strict checks and balances within the registration process, the government can mitigate the chaos on Malé’s roads, transform public spaces, and ultimately encourage responsible vehicle ownership. The health and safety of the community depend on it.