Owners of vehicles in Risizi and Nyamasheke districts will no longer have to commute to Kigali to take their automobiles for mechanical inspection.

This follows the relocation of a Mobile Test Lane, to the region on Monday.

 Vehicle owners in the two districts used to find it costly and time consuming travelling the six-hour stretch to Kigali.

Previously, the Remera-based Motor vehicle Inspection Centre (MIC), which has the capacity to inspect about 250 vehicles daily, was the only facility serving all vehicles countrywide.

Supt. Jean Marie Ndushabandi, the Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, said the mobile lane will be stationed there for five days. The facility, stationed in Kamembe, has the capacity to inspect about 80 vehicles a day. Vehicle owners in the area commended the initiative. 

"It was costly and time-consuming for us to drive to Kigali,” said Naasoro, a resident.

John Bikorimana, another resident, said going to Kigali to have his vehicle inspected used to take him at least four days.

"At times, you would get there and find many other vehicles ahead of you. You would then have no option but to wait for another day. This meant spending on both fuel and accommodation,” Bikorimana said.

He appealed to vehicle owners in the area to utilise the opportunity.

Rwanda National Police plans to establish other mechanical inspections centres in Ngoma, Musanze, Huye, Karongi and another lane in Kigali.

The facilities inspect, among others, the lighting and braking systems, wheel alignment and vehicle geometry and steering system, as well as gas emission.

Business vehicles are inspected twice while private vehicles are inspected once a year.

The presidential decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002, regulating general traffic police and road traffic; stipulates, in part, that: "Vehicles not satisfying the set technical criteria will not be issued a certificate. Owners of vehicles using public roads without the certificate will be liable to a fine of Rwf 25, 000.”