The first day of Myanmar’s new fuel-saving measures has been marked by widespread reports of extortion in Yangon, with traffic police allegedly targeting drivers whose vehicles were on the road out of sequence.
The junta’s rationing scheme, which officially commenced on 7 March 2026, permits only vehicles with odd-numbered license plates to operate on odd days of the month. However, residents and local monitoring groups report that “One Stop Service” inspection teams—led by traffic police and local officials—have turned these checkpoints into opportunities for bribery.
A representative from the local monitoring group, Rangoon Scout Network (RSN), told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA) that multiple teams of at least five officers have been stationed across the city since early morning. “They are seizing licenses and demanding ‘tea money’ of up to 20,000 kyats (approximately $10 USD) to let drivers pass,” the official said.
Even those operating commercial vehicles, which are technically exempt under certain conditions, have reportedly faced harassment. One resident from Hlaing Township described how a friend driving a commercial truck was forced to pay a 5,000-kyat bribe despite having no legal violations. “They wouldn’t stop pestering him until he paid,” the witness added.
While traffic across Yangon was noticeably thinner, queues at petrol stations remained steady, with some retailers reportedly planning to sell fuel only to vehicles that match the day’s designated odd or even number.
According to reports from pro-junta media outlets, these inspection teams are composed of representatives from the General Administration Department, local police, and road transport authorities. While 7 March to 13 March has been designated as an “educational period,” reports suggest that from 14 March, violators could face one month in prison and a 20,000-kyat fine.
The move to ration driving is part of a desperate attempt by the military authorities to manage a deepening fuel crisis triggered by international shipping disruptions and regional conflict, yet the immediate rise in street-level corruption highlights the ongoing challenges to the regime’s administrative credibility.
