Development & Policy | June 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Rickshaw drivers in Lahore can now apply for licences every Sunday at the Manawan Licensing Centre.
- The special facility will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with dedicated arrangements for applicants.
- CTPL says the move is aimed at improving road safety, traffic discipline and legal compliance.
- Awareness lectures and training sessions are also being arranged for rickshaw drivers.
- Officials say licensed and trained drivers can help reduce violations and make daily commuting safer.
Lahore Traffic Police has introduced a dedicated Sunday licensing window for rickshaw drivers, giving one of the city’s busiest public transport groups a simpler route to legal compliance and safer driving practices.
| Every Sunday Dedicated licence window |
8 a.m.–4 p.m. Operating hours |
Manawan Licensing centre |
Sunday Window Opens at Manawan Licensing Centre
The City Traffic Police Lahore has launched a special Sunday licensing facility for rickshaw drivers at the Manawan Licensing Centre. Under the arrangement, rickshaw drivers can visit the centre every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to apply for driving licences without disrupting their normal weekday earning hours.
The move is practical because many rickshaw drivers work long daily shifts and may find it difficult to leave work during regular office days. A fixed Sunday window gives them a clearer schedule and reduces the excuse of time pressure. It also allows traffic authorities to handle applicants from a specific transport category through dedicated arrangements rather than mixing them into the general licensing rush.
| Public Service Angle — The Sunday facility gives rickshaw drivers a more practical way to complete licensing requirements without losing weekday income. |
Why Rickshaw Licensing Matters for Lahore
Rickshaws are a major part of Lahore’s urban transport system. They serve markets, schools, hospitals, bus stops, residential areas and narrow streets where larger vehicles are less convenient. Because they interact closely with pedestrians, motorcyclists, cars and public transport, the driving behaviour of rickshaw operators has a direct effect on road safety.
Chief Traffic Officer Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the initiative is linked to better road safety and traffic discipline. According to officials, drivers need proper knowledge of traffic laws, road safety measures and responsible driving practices. The licensing facility is therefore not only an administrative service. It is part of a wider attempt to bring more rickshaw drivers into the legal framework governing road transport.
Sunday Licensing Facility at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Why It Matters |
| Facility | Special Sunday licensing window | For rickshaw drivers in Lahore |
| Location | Manawan Licensing Centre | Dedicated arrangements for applicants |
| Timing | Every Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Allows drivers to apply outside normal workdays |
| Main purpose | Licence access and legal compliance | Brings more drivers into the formal transport framework |
| Support activity | Awareness lectures and training | Improves knowledge of traffic rules and safe driving habits |
| Expected public benefit | Safer, more disciplined commuting | May reduce violations and improve passenger safety |
Training and Awareness Added to the Process
The programme also includes awareness lectures and training sessions for rickshaw drivers. This is important because a licence should represent more than a plastic card. It should show that a driver understands road rules, safety duties and passenger responsibility in crowded city conditions.
CTPL says the sessions are meant to improve professional skills, knowledge of traffic rules and safe driving habits. These areas matter in Lahore, where traffic pressure remains high and smaller public transport vehicles often operate in dense mixed traffic. Better trained drivers can help reduce wrong-side driving, reckless stopping, sudden lane changes and other habits that increase the risk of accidents.
| Road Safety Point — Training and awareness sessions can make the licensing process more useful by linking documents with safer real-world driving habits. |
A Step Toward Safer Public Transport
The facility may also help passengers by encouraging safer and more accountable public transport. Licensed drivers are easier to identify and regulate, while unlicensed driving makes enforcement more difficult.
The initiative also reflects a service-delivery approach by the traffic police. Instead of relying only on penalties, CTPL is trying to make compliance easier for a specific group of drivers. When the process is more accessible, authorities can expect stronger participation and fewer claims that licensing requirements are difficult to meet.
| Compliance Reminder — Drivers should not treat the facility as optional if they are operating commercially. Valid licensing remains central to lawful and responsible road use. |
What Drivers Should Do Now
Rickshaw drivers who still do not have valid licences should use the Sunday facility and visit the Manawan Licensing Centre during the announced timings. Applicants should carry their required documents and follow the guidance issued at the centre. Drivers who need more information can contact the nearest traffic police office or licensing centre before visiting.
The success of the facility will depend on driver participation and regular training. If implemented consistently, it could become a useful model for other commercial drivers facing similar access issues.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official traffic police statements and media reporting about the Sunday licensing facility for rickshaw drivers in Lahore. Applicants should confirm the latest documentation requirements and timings from CTPL or the relevant licensing centre before visiting.
