Government extends validity of driving licenses due to November disruptions

Colombo, Jan 27 (Daily Mirror) - The validity of driving licenses set to expire between November 25, 2025, and December 24, 2025, has been extended by one month from their original expiry date.

The Motor Vehicles (Temporary Extension of Validity of Driving Licenses) Regulations No. 04 of 2025 were published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2467/52 on December 17, 2025.

The move aims to prevent any adverse impact on road safety and road users, following severe weather conditions in November 2025 that disrupted daily life and made it difficult for the public to renew their licenses on time.

Technical glitches in the Motor Traffic Department’s computer system during that period also hindered the issuance and renewal of licenses.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to submit the regulations for parliamentary approval under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act (Chapter 203).