Due to the developing COVID-19 situation in the country, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) has initiated several efforts to ensure that services under their purview would not be disrupted.
Since the resurgence of local COVID-19 cases and the reimplementation of tightened COVID-19 measures began, the Darussalam Line 123 has received about 17,974 calls in the second week of August, which is 110% increase compared to the first week, which only saw 8,521 calls being received.
“One of the highest number of calls received at present is regarding the services of the Land Transport Department (LTD), especially those related to renewal applications for vehicle licenses and driving licenses,” the ministry said in a statement.
Since the semi-lockdown in which government service counters across all ministries are forced to close, MTIC through the Darussalam Line has received a total 1,948 enquiries on driving licenses and about 1,124 enquiries on vehicle licenses.
“In total, inquiries on various issues related to (LTD) including inquiries received through the Darussalam Line, e-mail, social media applications namely WhatsApp and Instagram were 9,642,” the statement added.
In light of this three alternative lines have been set up to accomodate the recent surge in queries particularly relating to LTD services. The lines are 2451980, 2451982 and 2451984 which are operational during working hours from 8am to 2pm.
The public was urged to utilise the TransportBN mobile application as well as the Gov.Bn portal for renewals of driving and vehicle licenses, where members of the public are also given the option to use a delivery service via Pos Laju to receive their licenses.
Applicants who forego the delivery also have the option of collecting their driving license or vehicle license that have been renewed from certain Postal Services Department branches which include Rimba Post Office for Brunei-Muara, Telisai Post Office for Tutong, Kuala Belait-Mumong Post Office for Belait and Bangar Post Office for Temburong.
Furthermore, for the purpose of vehicle inspection for vehicle license renewals, 12 vehicle inspection stations are still open to the public with a basic fee of $5.00 for each inspection. The complete list can be found on the JPD’s official website, www.jpd.gov.bn.
The LTD also introduced a “PUSH SMS” short message service specifically for driving licenses and vehicle Licenses that have been renewed.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, MTIC Minister, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Abd Mutalib POKS SDP Hj Mohd Yusof said that the SMS service has already began however, between the 1st and 22nd August, over a thousand applicants were shown to have not updated their mobile phone numbers.
“Therefore, to ensure that the applicant or owner of the vehicle license and driving license receives the SMS short message, the Ministry would like to call on the applicants who have renewed and have not received the SMS, to update their mobile phone numbers at www.jpd.gov.bn/myprofile or contact the LTD,” continued the minister.
The minister went on to share that the LTD have made arrangements with the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) on the temporary relaxation of law enforcement in regards to driving and vehicle licenses that have expired since 1st August.
“On this occasion, it should be noted that every vehicle must have a vehicle license or at least a valid vehicle protection policy (insurance) when on the road,” he said.
He added that if individuals have not received the “Vehicle License Sticker” or “Driving License Card” after it has been successfully renewed, they can present the e-Receipt which is issued through the Gov.Bn portal and TransportBN application or the SMS sent by JPD to law enforcement as proof.
For more information, LTD has also provided “Frequently Asked Questions” or FAQs to answer any questions from the public on the LTD website, www.jpd.gov.bn
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
