The new vehicle will be an alternative to tuk-tuks on main streets, upscale areas, and highways, while the tuk-tuk will continue to operate in villages, rural areas, and narrow streets.

Mahmoud El-Dabaa, the Transportation Committee’s undersecretary, said the new vehicle will address some of the negative impacts of tuk-tuks

“They [the tuk-tuks] navigate cities, upscale areas, and tourist destinations, which does not give off a civilized appearance,” El-Dabaa told Al-Masry Al-Youm daily.

However, he indicated that the aim of introducing the new vehicle is not to eliminate tuk-tuks but to provide a suitable alternative for upscale areas.

This way, the MP says, the tuk-tuks will not roam in cities, main streets, and highways, and will only operate in narrow alleys, villages, and rural areas, reducing accidents and traffic disruptions caused by tuk-tuks.

Licensing tuk-tuks
 

In the same session, the parliament finally approved the licensing of tuk-tuks, nearly 15 years after they became widespread on Egyptian streets.

Meanwhile, the tuk-tuk has become a common feature in neighbourhoods with rough and narrow streets, serving as a convenient mode of transportation for locals in places where taxis are rare.

However, their lack of regulation means that they are sometimes driven by minors while their lack of license plates makes them untraceable, allowing them – some say – to be more readily used for crimes.

“Despite the drawbacks of tuk-tuks in urban areas, they remain one of the most important means of transportation in villages and remote areas, with the elderly and women considering them an essential mode of transport,” El-Dabaa said.

According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the number of licensed tuk-tuks stood around 219,900 in 2022.

Meanwhile, nearly five million tuk-tuks are currently operating in Egypt, according to unofficial estimates.

Under the new law, tuk-tuk owners who wish to obtain a license must submit the necessary papers; including a copy of the tuk-tuk's purchase invoice indicating the year of manufacture.

They are also required to provide a customs clearance indicating the country of origin, a copy of the owners' ID, and a data and validation certificate.

The driver must be at least 18 years old and have a personal driving license.

In addition, the vehicle itself must be the approved color determined by the governorate.

Vehicle license plates 
 

The amendments also aim to produce secure and non-forgeable traffic plates that are compatible with the smart transportation system.

The fees for obtaining traffic plates have been increased to EGP 600 from EGP 115, and are subject to a 10 percent annual increase, on the condition it not exceed three times its value.

Abandoned vehicles
 

Moreover, the amendments include procedures related to removing abandoned vehicles from the streets and notifying their owners to retrieve them within 60 days.

In case the owner does not retrieve their vehicle, the authorities may sell it with the proceeds going to the public treasury.

The amendments aim to enhance traffic safety, preserve the lives and property of citizens, maintain discipline on the roads, and enable the detection of stolen vehicles.

This comes within the framework of the Ministry of Interior's efforts to implement an integrated electronic traffic system through digital transformation in all service sectors.