The HA. Ihavandhoo Council has officially launched marine vessel driver licensing services today, September 27, 2026, implementing a structured administrative framework for vessel captains and operators across the region.
According to an official announcement issued by the council, the "Regulation on Providing Marine Licensing Services and Levying Fees" was formally approved during the 19th ordinary general meeting of its fifth term. All licensing operations and administrative fee collections have officially taken effect under this new policy.
The primary objective of the regulation is to establish an accessible and sustainable marine licensing mechanism for residents of Ihavandhoo and mariners across Haa Alif Atoll. Under this framework, the council is authorized to process and issue motorized sea vessel operator licenses under standard Category 1 (TM1-1) guidelines.
Applicants can submit license applications directly to the council's counter or through designated online portals. License issuance remains contingent upon applicants successfully completing a practical maneuvering examination conducted by council evaluators, with specific test times and locations communicated via contact details provided on the application forms.
All payments under the new regulation are processed online via direct transfer to the Ihavandhoo Council’s Bank of Maldives (BML) account.
Approved Fee Structure:
License Issuance / Renewal: MVR 250
Replacement Card (Lost or Damaged): MVR 100
Practical Examination Fee: MVR 250
Application Processing Fee: MVR 250
Duplicate Copy Issuance: MVR 500
By decentralizing vessel licensing operations to the local council level, the new regulation significantly reduces administrative delays for boat captains and commercial fishing crews in the northern atolls. The initiative supports regulatory compliance across local maritime transport sectors while strengthening the council's capacity to maintain updated registries of active vessel operators.
