How BRTA Remains One of the Most Corrupt Agencies Despite Digitalisation
May 12, 2026 2:39 pm
BRTA Remains One of the Most Corrupt Agencies. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) introduced online services to make processes easier, faster, and more transparent for citizens. From driving licence applications to vehicle ownership transfers, the digital platform was expected to reduce corruption, eliminate middlemen, and improve public service delivery.
However, despite these reforms, BRTA continues to face serious allegations of corruption. According to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) latest survey, BRTA was ranked as the second most corrupt institution in the country during 2023–24. The report revealed that more than 85 percent of households receiving services from BRTA experienced some form of corruption.
This raises an important question: if services are digitalised, why does corruption still exist so widely?
An investigation into BRTA’s online management system reveals that corruption survives through several loopholes that force service seekers to rely on unofficial agents, commonly known as dalals, in order to avoid delays and complications.
Digital Services Exist, But Problems Remain
Although BRTA now offers online services for licence applications, ownership transfers, and fee payments, many users still struggle to complete the process smoothly without outside help.
In theory, citizens should be able to complete most tasks online. In practice, however, people often face technical errors, unclear instructions, repeated office visits, and unnecessary delays. These difficulties create opportunities for corruption and encourage citizens to seek assistance from dalals who promise quick solutions in exchange for money.
Many service seekers believe that while the online system appears modern on the surface, the actual process still depends heavily on manual approvals and physical interactions with officials.
Instruction Gaps Force Citizens to Visit Offices
One of the biggest issues identified in the investigation was the lack of proper guidance within the online portal.
For example, while applying for vehicle ownership transfer online, users encountered error messages such as “TIN information not updated” or “name mismatch.” The portal instructed users to contact an official through email, but the provided email address reportedly did not work.
Even hotline support offered little help. Instead of resolving the issue online, callers were advised to visit the BRTA office physically, despite the existence of a digital system.
This lack of clear instructions creates confusion for ordinary citizens, especially those with limited technical knowledge. Many people eventually give up on the online process and turn to dalals for assistance.
Experts believe that when an online system fails to provide proper instructions or customer support, it defeats the purpose of digitalisation.
Multiple Physical Visits Increase Corruption Risks
Another major issue is the requirement for repeated office visits even after submitting applications online.
For instance, vehicle inspections and biometric verification often require physical presence, but users are not always informed about these steps in advance. Important details are either missing from the portal or not clearly communicated by officials.
As a result, applicants may wait several days without updates before discovering that another office visit is necessary. This wastes time and increases frustration.
For citizens travelling from distant areas, repeated visits become expensive and exhausting. Many eventually choose to pay dalals to speed up the process and avoid further hassle.
Officials themselves have reportedly acknowledged that frustrated citizens often approach nearby photocopy shops and middlemen for help because they cannot navigate the system properly.
Delayed Acknowledgement Slips Create Opportunities for Abuse
One of the most controversial practices within BRTA is the delay in providing acknowledgement slips or receipts after document submission or test completion.
In many cases, applicants submit documents or complete driving tests without receiving immediate proof. Instead, they are told to return later or wait for updates on the portal.
This practice creates uncertainty and opens the door to corruption. Without a receipt or acknowledgement slip, applicants have no evidence that their documents were received or that they passed required tests.
Some applicants reported being denied certificates later despite passing tests earlier. Others claimed they only received their documents after protesting or using personal connections.
Experts argue that immediate digital receipts should be mandatory in every service process to ensure transparency and accountability.
Dalals Continue to Control the System
The weaknesses in BRTA’s digital services have allowed dalals to remain highly active around BRTA offices.
These middlemen offer “fast-track” services for extra money. Many citizens prefer paying dalals because they believe it saves time and avoids unnecessary complications.
Several applicants admitted that they completed ownership transfers or licence procedures quickly through dalals, while direct online applications resulted in delays and confusion.
Some dalals reportedly maintain close relationships with officials and share a portion of their earnings in exchange for smoother processing.
Because of this unofficial network, corruption continues to flourish despite the introduction of digital services.
Driving Licence Corruption Remains a Serious Concern
The investigation also highlighted irregularities in driving licence examinations.
Several applicants claimed that people who paid bribes often received licences without properly completing mandatory driving tests. Some motorbike licence seekers allegedly skipped important tests such as the figure-eight examination yet still obtained licences.
Professional drivers also reported corruption in drug testing procedures and licence approvals. Many believe that educated citizens may occasionally manage the process honestly, but ordinary workers and drivers face much greater pressure to pay bribes.
This situation raises serious concerns about road safety because unqualified drivers may receive licences without proper evaluation.
Why BRTA Digitalisation Has Failed to Reduce Corruption
Experts believe BRTA’s digitalisation efforts have failed mainly because the system still relies heavily on human discretion and manual intervention.
Several core problems continue to exist:
- Poor customer support
- Lack of clear instructions
- Technical issues in the online portal
- Unnecessary physical visits
- Delayed acknowledgements and approvals
- Weak accountability mechanisms
- Continued influence of dalals
Without fixing these structural issues, digitalisation alone cannot eliminate corruption.
Need for Stronger Reforms
To improve transparency and public trust, experts suggest several urgent reforms for BRTA:
Improve the Online Portal
The system should provide clear step-by-step guidance and accurate information for every service.
Ensure Immediate Digital Receipts
Applicants should automatically receive acknowledgement slips and proof of submission instantly.
Reduce Physical Visits
More verification processes should be completed online to minimize unnecessary office visits.
Strengthen Monitoring
Strict monitoring of officials and service procedures is necessary to prevent abuse of power.
Crack Down on Dalals
Authorities must take action against unofficial agents operating around BRTA offices.
Improve Public Support
Effective helplines and customer support services should be available to help users solve issues quickly.
Conclusion
BRTA digitalisation initiative was introduced to simplify services and reduce corruption, but major loopholes continue to undermine the system. While online applications are technically possible, many citizens still face delays, confusion, and pressure to rely on dalals for faster service.
The investigation shows that corruption at BRTA survives not because digital systems are absent, but because the existing system still allows manipulation through poor implementation, weak accountability, and unnecessary bureaucracy.
