Latra pushes for safer travel with mandatory staff registration
What you need to know:
- The warning follows the rollout of Latra’s training programmes for bus staff in July 2023 and August 2024.
Dar es Salaam. The Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) has issued a fresh warning to bus operators, urging them to employ only personnel registered with the authority, or face penalties starting June 2025.
The warning follows the rollout of Latra’s training programmes for bus staff in July 2023 and August 2024.
The authority had earlier set December 31, 2024, as the deadline for all service providers to stop hiring unregistered personnel.
Since then, Latra has continued to run awareness campaigns and offer implementation support.
In a statement issued on Saturday, May 17, Latra’s Head of Communications and Public Relations, Mr Salum Pazzy, confirmed that penalties for non-compliance would begin on June 2, 2025.
“Latra urges all commercial bus owners and operators to ensure their staff are fully registered. We are currently conducting inspections to monitor compliance with legal requirements, especially among staff on long-distance routes,” he said.
Mr Pazzy advised unregistered personnel to submit their applications via Latra’s online portal or visit the nearest Latra office with copies of their Training Certificate and National Identification Number (Nida).
Under Section 5 of the Land Transport Regulatory Authority Act, Cap 413, Latra is mandated to register service personnel and certify drivers of commercial transport vehicles.
Additionally, Regulation 22 of the Public Passenger Vehicle Transport Licensing Regulations (GN No. 2020) requires all service providers to employ only personnel registered with Latra.
In the statement, he further cited Regulation 20 of the Driver Certification and Commercial Vehicle Service Personnel Registration Regulations (GN No. 81 of 2020), which stipulates that commercial vehicle personnel must hold a valid registration card issued by Latra.
Training for service staff is short-term and offered by the National Institute of Transport (NIT), the College of Business Education (CBE), and the Arusha Technical College.
Latra says these efforts are part of a broader push to professionalise the transport sector and enhance passenger safety through improved standards and accountability.
