Rwanda National Police

Figures from Rwanda National Police indicate that, since 2009, the number of vehicles that turn out for mechanical inspection has increased tremendously.

According to the Commanding Officer of the Motor vehicle Inspection Directorate, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Yahya Kamunuga, the number of vehicle that showed up for inspection from January to September this year projects an increment compared to last year’s.

“In 2014, we registered 58,476 vehicles that showed up for inspection and conducted 75,839 inspections. Figures from This year, we have so far received 45,840 vehicles in the last nine months and 68,666 inspections were conducted,” said Kamunuga.

The number of received vehicles and those inspected vary because a vehicle can be inspected more than once especially when it is found to be mechanically unstable and owner instructed to first fix some faults before it is brought back within 14 days for final inspection and issuance of certificate and sticker on number plates.

"Commercial vehicles are required to undergo an inspection every after six months while private individual cars have to undergo an inspection after 12 month."

In interpreting the figures, Kamunuga said; “the 2015 figures still miss the last quarter of the year which we will compile at the end of the year, however its clear the number of vehicles and the inspections conducted are about to increase way higher than 2014.”

“We attribute the increase to several mechanisms, including awareness campaigns, increase of Motor vehicle Inspection centers including one based in Gishari serving the eastern province and the mobile Motor Vehicle Inspection van, and newly added lanes at the main center in Remera,” said Kamunuga.

The Remera center has three lanes with the capacity to inspect at least 300 vehicles per day, and has engine gas emissions tester.

In 2008 alone, when Remera MIC was established with only two lanes, it inspected 20,472 vehicles but this number increased to 30,909 in 2010.

The MIC's aim is to contribute to the reduction of technical default that otherwise would cause accidents.

Equipped with state of the art equipment, the center inspects critical areas of motor vehicles which include wheel balance and alignment, suspensions, brakes, axle play, headlights as well as visual inspection that involves the use observing the housing of the car, side and rear-view mirrors.

The introduction of the third lane in 2013, meant that vehicle inspection now moves twice as fast. 

According to Kamunuga plans are underway to establish other MICs in Karongi and Huye serving Western and Southern Provinces respectively while the mobile Motor Vehicle Inspection van will concentrate on the Northern Province as Gishari will serve the East

He highlighted the need for inspection saying that vehicles that are in a worrying mechanical state are more likely to cause accidents.

Requirements for a successful inspection include insurance, vehicle log book, identification card, driving license and receipt showing payment. The later however varies depending on the type of the vehicle.

“These inspections are part of the preventive measures and ensuring that we keep citizens safe and free from accidents,” he said.

"We encourage all vehicle owners and drivers to respect the schedule for Motor-Vehicle Mechanical inspection because it is a duty and an obligation of each driver to ensure road worthiness of own vehicle"

Anyone found driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate is fined Frw25, 000.