The Ministry of Justice has announced the full implementation of the 2018 Concession Agreement between the Government of Liberia and Liberia Traffic Management Incorporated (LTMI), a foreign-owned private firm, officially transferring responsibility for vehicle registration and driver licensing from the Ministry of Transport to LTMI.
This development comes despite sustained protests and opposition from affected Ministry of Transport employees, many of whom were laid off as a result of the transition. The agreement—initially signed in 2018 but delayed due to legal challenges—was cleared for execution following a Supreme Court ruling on May 28, 2025, which removed all legal impediments.
According to the Ministry’s statement, LTMI has now been granted full operational authority to finance, develop, manage, and eventually hand over a nationwide traffic management system.
The company’s mandate includes driver testing and certification, issuance and renewal of licenses, vehicle registration, inspection, ticketing, towing, urban parking management, and the construction of motor vehicle administrative offices across Liberia.
As of July 16, 2025, all new and renewal applications for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations must be processed through LTMI’s main office located in Congo Town, or at officially designated sub-offices to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Ministry also clarified that individuals who began processing documents or paid applicable fees through the Ministry of Transport before the transition date will still be permitted to collect their documents at those offices, provided the transaction occurred on or before July 15.
Existing licenses and registrations issued by the Ministry of Transport prior to the handover will remain valid. However, the Ministry emphasized that only credentials issued by LTMI will be recognized going forward.
Government officials have defended the move as part of a broader strategy to modernize Liberia’s traffic and transportation systems, citing goals of improved service delivery, operational efficiency, and enhanced road safety.
“We are confident this transition will result in improved efficiency, enhanced service delivery, and a more robust traffic management system,” the Ministry stated.
Nevertheless, the privatization of key traffic control functions—particularly through a foreign operator—has drawn criticism from labor groups, civil society, and segments of the public.
Critics argue that the decision undermines public sector capacity, displaces Liberian workers, and lacks sufficient transparency regarding LTMI’s financial and operational obligations under the concession.
The full terms and financial structure of the concession agreement have yet to be made public, prompting calls for greater legislative and civil oversight.
