New Regulations and Fees Set for E-Rickshaws in City Corporations

The Local Government Division has issued a new set of rules to control the arbitrary movement of battery-operated rickshaws and restore discipline on roads within city corporation areas. On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives issued a gazette notification in this regard. These rules will apply to all battery-operated rickshaws operating within all city corporation areas. According to the notification, these rules will be named 'City Corporation Area Three-Wheeler Low-Speed Battery-Operated Rickshaw Operation Rules, 2026'.

According to the new rules, 'e-rickshaw' will refer to a government-approved three-wheeled low-speed vehicle with a capacity to carry 2 or 4 passengers. Its maximum speed will be limited to 25 kilometers per hour. No e-rickshaw will be allowed to ply the roads without registration.

For registration, applicants must submit a national identity card, passport-size photograph, fee submission receipt, and fitness certificate, and the authority will issue registration within 30 working days.

Regarding fee structures, the registration fee (one-time) for a two-passenger capacity autorickshaw is fixed at 8,000 taka and annual renewal fee at 4,000 taka. For a four-passenger capacity autorickshaw, the registration fee (one-time) is 10,000 taka and annual renewal fee is 5,000 taka, while the fitness certificate fee is 10,000 taka. Each registered e-rickshaw will be provided with a QR-code-enabled unique registration number and number plate.

The number plate must display the city corporation name, zone code, and vehicle number in white letters on a specified colored background.

The registration validity will be 5 years, and the economic lifetime of an e-rickshaw will be 12 years. A maximum of 5 e-rickshaws can be registered against a single national identity card from one or multiple city corporations, and rickshaws registered in one city cannot be operated for commercial purposes in another city.

The movement rules state that e-rickshaws will not be allowed to run on national highways, expressways, elevated expressways, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes. Authorities and traffic departments will jointly determine zone-based routes, and a rickshaw from one zone cannot enter another. Drivers must always follow the left lane of the road, and horns exceeding 40 decibels are prohibited.

The maximum speed will be 15 km/h in school, hospital, religious institution, and crowded areas. Riding on footpaths, using mobile phones while driving, unauthorized overtaking, and lane changing are strictly prohibited. Except for passengers (2 or 4) and their hand luggage, no other commercial goods can be transported.

For charging and environmental protection, batteries cannot be charged outside approved charging points or garages. Initiatives will be taken to gradually make net metering, solar panels, and renewable energy mandatory at charging stations. Old or ineffective batteries must not be thrown into open spaces, soil, or water bodies, nor burned. Sellers will be obliged to take back one old battery upon selling every new battery. Manufacturing of e-rickshaws will be regulated, and manufacturing companies must obtain licenses.

A recommendation committee headed by the Additional Secretary (Urban Development Wing) of the Local Government Division, comprising representatives from BUET, police, and district commissioners, will be formed for this purpose.

The rules state that driving without registration, driving over the speed limit, carrying excess passengers, using unauthorized batteries, modifying motors or structures, driving in prohibited areas, driving dangerously, violating signals, or fleeing after an accident will be considered punishable offenses, and action will be taken according to prevailing laws.

//DBTech/SC/DE/OE//