Changes coming to regulations
Auto-rickshaw registration validity to be extended to 12 years
File Photo
The government is revising the Regulations on the Operation of Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Powered Auto-Rickshaws in City Corporation Areas, 2026, just two days after its issuance.
The regulations issued on Thursday night set the economic lifespan of auto-rickshaws at 12 years but limited their registration validity to five years. The registration validity is now being extended to 12 years through an amendment. The Local Government Division is expected to issue the revised regulations today or tomorrow.
Relevant sources confirmed the information.
On October 29, the government issued the Regulations on the Operation of Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Powered Auto-Rickshaws in City Corporation Areas, 2026 to ensure the orderly operation of environmentally friendly, low-speed battery-powered rickshaws in city corporation areas. The new regulations set rules for e-rickshaw registration, renewal, fitness, speed limits and restrictions on operating on designated roads.
The main objectives of the new regulations are to restore discipline on roads, ensure passenger safety and prevent illegal charging and indiscriminate movement. No auto-rickshaw will be allowed to operate on roads without registration or renewal.
Under the regulations, a one-time registration fee of Tk 8,000 and an annual renewal fee of Tk 4,000 have been set for e-rickshaws with a passenger capacity of two. For e-rickshaws with a capacity of four passengers, the registration fee is Tk 10,000 and the annual renewal fee is Tk 5,000. The fitness certificate fee for each e-rickshaw has been set at Tk 1,000.
The regulations also state that a maximum of five auto-rickshaws can be registered against a single national identity card. Registered e-rickshaws must have a distinctive number plate featuring a QR code in a visible location.
The economic lifespan of an e-rickshaw has also been set at 12 years. Registration will be automatically canceled after this period.
In the interest of passenger safety, the maximum speed of e-rickshaws has been set at 25 kilometers per hour. The speed limit must be reduced to a maximum of 15 kilometers per hour in areas near schools, hospitals, religious places of worship and densely populated locations.
Auto-rickshaw movement has been completely prohibited on national highways, expressways, elevated expressways, major bus routes, footpaths and roads designated as restricted by the authorities. Auto-rickshaws registered in one city corporation cannot be operated commercially in another city corporation.
