Bangladesh’s Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has announced that all public transport vehicles across the country must be fitted with operational Global Positioning System (GPS) devices from 1 August as part of a wider effort to strengthen road safety and improve the use of digital technology in the transport sector.
The new requirement means transport operators will have to provide evidence that a GPS device has been installed when applying to register a new public transport vehicle or renew its fitness certificate.
According to a public notice issued by the BRTA on Tuesday, vehicle owners will also be required to demonstrate, through a mobile application, that the installed GPS device is active and functioning correctly before the necessary documents are processed.
The move follows a gazette notification issued by the Road Transport and Highways Division on 11 June, which introduced the mandatory use of GPS technology in public transport vehicles.
The authorities said, "The measure is intended to improve monitoring of vehicles, support safer road transport and encourage the wider adoption of modern information technology across the sector.”
The BRTA said, "Detailed technical specifications for approved GPS devices are available at its regional offices as well as on its official website.”
Under the new procedure, applicants seeking vehicle registration or the renewal of a fitness certificate must submit proof that the required GPS equipment has been installed.
Officials will then verify, through the associated mobile application, that the device is operating before approving the application.
The authority said the requirement will be enforced in accordance with Section 25 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, and Rule 55 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022. Registration and fitness certificates will only be issued or renewed after the GPS installation has been successfully verified.
The BRTA has called on transport owners and their authorised representatives to complete the necessary preparations ahead of the 1 August deadline and cand to cooperate the implementation of the new regulation.
The mandatory installation of GPS devices is expected to provide transport authorities with improved oversight of public transport operations while supporting broader efforts to enhance road safety and regulatory compliance across Bangladesh.
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