Battery-Powered Rickshaws to Finally Get Registration; Up to 5 Allowed per NID

The government has issued new regulations for the registration of battery-operated auto-rickshaws, or "e-rickshaws," within city corporation areas. Under these new rules, a maximum of five e-rickshaws can be registered against a single National Identity (NID) card. It is mandatory for all e-rickshaws to be registered before they can operate on public roads.

On Thursday (October 29), the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives issued a notification titled "Regulations for the Operation of Three-Wheeled, Low-Speed ​​Battery-Operated Rickshaws (E-rickshaws) in City Corporation Areas, 2026." These new regulations are effective immediately.

According to the regulations, an individual may register up to five e-rickshaws—across one or more city corporations—using a single NID card. However, an e-rickshaw registered in one city corporation area cannot be operated commercially within the jurisdiction of another city corporation.

Furthermore, each city corporation, subject to prior government approval and in consultation with the relevant traffic department, will determine the number of e-rickshaws permitted to operate within its respective area. If necessary, limits on the number of e-rickshaws may also be set for specific zones or regions.

How to Apply for Registration

To register an e-rickshaw, an application must be submitted in the prescribed form to the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant city corporation. The application must be accompanied by a certified copy of the applicant's National Identity (NID) card, two recently taken, certified passport-sized photographs, the original receipt of the registration fee payment, and a valid fitness certificate.

The application form must include the applicant's name (in both Bengali and English), the names of their parents, date of birth, age, current and permanent addresses, educational qualifications, and NID number.

Additionally, the application must specify the type of e-rickshaw, its passenger capacity, the manufacturer's name, the model, the chassis number, and the motor number. If the owner holds an insurance policy for the vehicle, that policy number must also be provided.

Applicants are required to declare that all information and documents submitted are accurate and authentic. If any information or document is subsequently proven to be false, legal action may be taken against the individual concerned.

Registration within 30 working days; 5-year validity

Under the new regulations, once an application is submitted, the relevant authority will scrutinize the required documents. Simultaneously, it will be verified whether the e-rickshaw meets the technical standards and safety specifications prescribed by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

If all conditions are met, registration will be granted within 30 working days of receiving the application. Each registration will be valid for five years.

Every registered e-rickshaw will be assigned a unique registration number—accompanied by a QR code—and a corresponding number plate. This registration number, including the QR code, must be displayed in a visible location on the vehicle.

However, no e-rickshaw may be registered or have its registration renewed without a fitness certificate—based on the technical standards and safety specifications set by BUET—and the countersignature of the relevant traffic department.

Provision for appeal in case of application rejection

If the authority is not satisfied following the scrutiny of a registration application, it may reject the application. In such an event, the applicant must be informed of the reasons for the rejection in writing within seven working days.

Should an applicant feel aggrieved by a decision to reject their registration, they may file an appeal with the appropriate higher authority within 10 working days of receiving the notification. The decision of the appellate authority shall be considered final.

The new regulations explicitly state that no e-rickshaw may operate on the road without a valid registration or a renewed registration. Furthermore, every e-rickshaw must comply with the prescribed technical standards and safety requirements.