"An applicant for a public driving license should not have been convicted for murder, rape, stealing or any drug-related crime. Such people will not be issued public driving licenses, including those for operating machinery," the statement said.

The statement added that the ban does not affect those who have been exonerated.

The executive bylaws of the traffic regulations issued in 2008 clarified that public driving licenses include commercial licenses (for taxis, buses or limousines), truck driver's licenses or licenses for operating machinery or government vehicles.