Heavy Vehicles and Goods Lorries Banned from Malé Roads at Rush Hours
Goods vehicles carrying more than 350kg, trucks, cranes, forklifts and trailers may not run from 06:00 to 08:30 and 11:30 to 13:30 on most roads in Malé, with the morning ban also covering Hulhumalé, the bridge and the highway.
Goods vehicles and heavy vehicles have been barred from most roads in Malé during the morning rush hour and around midday, under a notice issued on 15 October by the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade.
The notice, reference (IUL)101/101/2026/31, covers goods transport vehicles carrying loads of more than 350 kilograms, as well as heavy vehicles such as forklifts, trucks, cranes and trailers. The ministry said in its English summary that the restrictions were introduced to make roads in the Malé area safer for pedestrians and motorists.
Restricted Hours
| Hours | Where the ban applies |
|---|---|
| 06:00–08:30 | All roads in Malé except Boduthakurufaanu Magu; roads in Hulhumalé; the Sinamalé Bridge and the highway |
| 11:30–13:30 | All roads in Malé except Boduthakurufaanu Magu; the Sinamalé Bridge and the highway |
The notice also bans these vehicles from operating, and goods from being loaded or unloaded, in school zones when schools open and close on school days.
The ministry said action would be taken against anyone who breaches the restrictions under the Land Transport Act (Law No. 16/2026). The notice does not list fines or set a separate start date.
Two Days after the Announcement
Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed said at a press conference on 13 October that measures were being developed to keep heavy vehicles off the roads at specific hours, to reduce congestion on the Hulhumalé–Malé bridge during office hours. According to the ministry’s account, the policy was being drawn up in consultation with construction companies to limit the inconvenience to businesses and the public.
The day before the restrictions were issued, the ministry announced that parking offences in disabled parking spaces, school zones, crossing zones and on main roads in Malé and Hulhumalé would be enforced through digital and electronic systems, with notices sent to vehicle owners by SMS and email.
Malé’s Traffic Rules
The Land Transport Act took effect on 1 October. It designates Malé, Hulhumalé and Villimalé as a registration and traffic management controlled zone, and gives the new Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office responsibility for traffic in the area.
Under the Act, the office must set a maximum number of vehicles that can be registered in the region within six months of the law taking effect, based on studies approved by the National Road Safety Council.
Boduthakurufaanu Magu, the road that runs around the edge of Malé, is the only road in the capital left open to these vehicles during both restricted periods.
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