Dhaka South Opens E-Rickshaw Registration as Other Cities Lag
Dhaka South began distributing e-rickshaw registration forms on November 3 under new rules covering safety, fees and operating zones. Most city corporations had not yet begun the process on November 2, despite the government’s announced start date.
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In a Nutshell
- Dhaka South City Corporation is distributing application forms at Tk 100 each from the Nagar Bhaban and its regional offices.
- Vehicles must pass verification and meet BUET’s prescribed technical and safety requirements to confirm registration.
- Implementation is uneven. Dhaka North, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur, Narayanganj and Barishal had not begun registration on November 2.
- Dhaka will have eight operating zones, four each in Dhaka North and South, with distinct vehicle colours.
- Vehicles registered in one zone will not be permitted to operate in another. City corporations and traffic authorities will determine how many vehicles each zone can accommodate.
- Initial registration will cost Tk8,000 for two-passenger vehicles and Tk10,000 for four-passenger vehicles, with annual renewal fees of Tk4,000 and Tk5,000 respectively.
- Number plates will cost another Tk1,000. A person can register up to five vehicles against one national identity card across one or more city corporations.
- Speed limits will be 25 km/h, falling to 15 km/h around schools, hospitals, religious institutions and crowded places.
- E-rickshaws will be prohibited on national highways, expressways, elevated expressways, major bus routes, footpaths and other designated restricted roads.
Context
The government issued new e-rickshaw rules on October 29, replacing the 2025 regulations. At a November 1 briefing, Shahe Alam said the country’s 13 city corporations could begin registration the following day. The framework combines vehicle registration with technical standards, route restrictions and identification.
Existing vehicles must undergo structural modifications where necessary to meet BUET-approved designs. Shahe Alam said manufacturers, not BUET itself, would carry out those modifications with permission from the relevant city corporation. The corporation said technical clearance from BUET would be mandatory. Fares will be discussed after registration begins, involving owners’ representatives, traffic departments and city corporations. Dumping or burning unusable batteries in open spaces, water bodies or ordinary waste streams will be prohibited.
Why It Matters
The rules may make e-rickshaw operations more traceable and introduce consistent requirements for vehicle safety, speed and routes. For owners and drivers, the transition involves registration fees, annual fees, and potentially the cost of vehicle modifications. Operating-zone restrictions and future fare decisions may also shape where they can work and what they can earn. However, the delayed rollout across several cities shows that administrative readiness is still a practical obstacle.
What We Think
Bringing e-rickshaws under a common regulatory framework was extremely crucial. Now it is important to monitor accessible inspections, clear modification requirements and consistent enforcement. Drivers may also be permitted a voice in decisions affecting fares and operating conditions. A system designed to improve urban transport may be more credible if it accounts for both the people who operate the vehicles and those who own and use them. Along with that, a clear explanation from the city corporations of where applications are open, how technical assessments will be conducted and what applicants must pay at each stage is essential.