The government has made GPS tracking devices mandatory for all public transport vehicles from August 1 to improve road safety and transport management.

According to a public notice issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), transport owners must install GPS devices in their vehicles and keep them operational.

The directive follows a gazette notification issued by the Road Transport and Highways Division on June 11.

From August 1, owners or their representatives will have to submit proof of GPS installation when applying for vehicle registration or fitness certificate renewal. They will also be required to demonstrate the tracking system through a mobile app at the relevant BRTA office.

Registration and fitness certificates will be issued or renewed only after officials confirm that an operational GPS device has been installed, the notice said.

The requirement has been introduced under Section 25 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, and Rule 55 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022.

Technical specifications for the devices can be collected from BRTA’s local offices or found on its website.

The authority sought the cooperation of public transport owners in implementing the directive.