DMT launches temporary driving licences for tourists at BIA

Monday, 4 August 2025 05:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Driving licences for heavy vehicles or tuk-tuks will not be issued

Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe yesterday said a new service counter for the issuance of necessary driving licences to foreign nationals visiting Sri Lanka for travel was launched yesterday at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

He noted that up until now, the service was provided only at the office located in Werahera, but from yesterday, for the convenience of tourists, the same services will be initiated at the airport premises and include dedicated 24/7 operational shifts, a biometric and photo capture facility on-site, multilingual assistance, and same-day expedited issuance for eligible applicants.

Amarasinghe added that many foreign visitors to Sri Lanka often rent vehicles near the BIA or nearby locations and drive themselves during their travels. It has been observed that these tourists use motorcycles, three-wheelers, and light vehicles.

However, under the new system, only licences for light vehicles and motorcycles will be issued to foreigners. The service will charge Rs. 2,000 per month of validity.

The Commissioner General also noted that driving licences for heavy vehicles or three-wheelers will not be issued under this scheme.

To apply for a temporary Sri Lankan driving licence at the airport, foreigners must present a valid full driving licence from their home country. Learner, probationary, provisional, or temporary licences will not be accepted. If the licence is not in English, a certified translation is required. Applicants must also show a valid passport and visa. The foreign driving licence must be valid for at least one year from the date of conversion.

Temporary Sri Lankan licences issued through this process will be valid for a maximum of five months. All restrictions noted on the foreign licence, such as requirements for corrective lenses and use of automatic transmission or hearing aids, will be applied to the converted licence as well.

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