Traffic Chief urges public’s cooperation against illegal licensing

In a stern warning to the public, Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, has emphasised that individuals accusing Police officers of obtaining licences illegally for others are in fact encouraging and soliciting such actions.
Since assuming the role of Traffic Chief, Singh has been resolute in his unbiased enforcement of the law, and has expressed disappointment at those who question the integrity of the GPF campaign. Addressing the public on Tuesday, Singh clarified the Traffic Department’s stance, and reminded the public that the enforcement campaign is unbiased and follows strict protocols.
He has urged individuals to refrain from offering money to Police officers to obtain licences illegally, and has said that such actions would not be tolerated.
“If you, for some reason, may not have passed the test; and because of your own adherent failure you did not pass, and you want to make allegations, that is another thing. If you are saying to me that you knowingly entered into a transaction which has implications for corrupt transactions…YOU solicited and engaged in such…!” Singh remarked.
He has highlighted that there are prescribed legal procedures in place for obtaining licences, and has warned that any deviation from those methods would be dealt with appropriately.
He has stressed the importance of the public cooperating with the Police, urging the public to trust the system and work together with law enforcement agencies to ensure road safety and adherence to regulations.
“There are steps to be taken to have it dealt with appropriately…you read, you comprehended, and once you have passed, you will go on to the next stage…” Singh added.
The Police Force continues to emphasise that steps would be taken to investigate any report of illegal licensing activity involving Police officers. Any individual found guilty of encouraging or soliciting illegal means to obtain a licence would face legal consequences.
Earlier this year, a 28-year-old Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employee was arrested for selling forged driver’s examination pass papers to a 35-year-old labourer in Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.
The GRA staff member, based in the Administrative Department, aided the labourer in attempting to obtain a driver’s licence dishonestly. When the labourer submitted the fake document at GRA’s headquarters on December 20, 2022, alert employees detected the fraud, leading to the labourer’s detention.
The labourer confessed to buying the document for $100,000 from the GRA employee, who in turn admitted to buying it for $50,000, but refused to disclose the identity of the source. The GRA employee was later arrested.
The Police have also introduced an online option for the Driver’s Licence Theoretical exam, allowing immediate results upon completion. The exam takes place at the Zara Cyber Security Centre in Georgetown, and strict rules apply: no paper, pens, or electronic devices are allowed; test-takers need to present ID cards; cannot pause the timer; and all questions are multiple-choice. Changing answers is permitted. Only one attempt is allowed, and while a printed copy of the results is provided, it cannot be used for the practical examination.
Despite this, reports of illegal licence acquisition persist. (G9)