Minister pushes efforts to validate foreign driving licenses in Sri Lanka

31 January 2025 04:41 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Colombo, January 31 (Daily Mirror) - inister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake has instructed relevant officials to explore the steps needed to digitalize the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) and the Department of Motor Traffic, in response to the high costs of fitness certificates printed by the NTMI.

The Minister also instructed that the driving licenses of individuals accused by court orders be inspected at the provincial level.

The Minister expressed these views following an inspection visit to the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda.

In addition, the Minister emphasized the need for special attention to be given to initiatives that will allow Sri Lankan driving license holders to use their licenses abroad, as well as to ensure the validity of foreign driving licenses in Sri Lanka.

Comments - 17

Chryshan Friday, 31 January 2025 05:13 PM

These are the important matters needs to sort out to increase tourism

4 15

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 31 January 2025 05:20 PM

We have to pay Rs. 15,000 to obtain an International Driving license with the local license and this valid for only one year. This is far too much amount.

2 14

Subramaniam Sunday, 02 February 2025 04:52 PM

One should not complain about Rs 15000 when they are spending a lot of foreign currency worth lakhs of rupees and the airfare when going abroad. This is foreign currency earned through the toil of Sri Lankan workers.

1 0

Insider Friday, 31 January 2025 05:22 PM

To allow Sri Lankan driving license holders to use their licenses abroad, as well as to ensure the validity of foreign driving licenses in Sri Lanka, they will need very sensitive IT data system as forgery is rampant even with sophisticated passports.

3 8

Rajiv De Silva Friday, 31 January 2025 07:47 PM

Good luck but it wont happen in developed countries.

1 16

Dr. Dee esquire Friday, 31 January 2025 10:23 PM

Well said!

0 5

Louis Friday, 31 January 2025 07:55 PM

The poor driving skills of Sri Lankans means that most countries especially those in the west will not allow Sri Lankan licences. When visiting Sri Lanka I will not drive there as I feel very much at risk from the dangerous behaviour of other road users. And as for your bus drivers!!! Mad drugged drunk idiots and that is being polite.

1 34

Lkf Friday, 31 January 2025 08:25 PM

Good idea that Sri Lankan expats too could be able to drive off from airport. Ministry will have to make sure that Police is aware of the regulations. Some police constables have never seen an international driving licence . They can make it irrevently difficult and annoying to the motorist owing to their lack of knowledge and information in hand.

0 6

Joe Friday, 31 January 2025 08:47 PM

You should first find out what a rigorous procedure is it to get a driving license in a country with proper law and order. And they very well know what poor drivers the Lankan system produces. Until you clean out the governing body, establish proper theory and practical training testing system and put an end to underhand deals between driving schools and examiners, lankan license will not be valid for more than few months overseas. And if you take out the need of a driving permit for a foreigner to drive in SL, the poor AA who seems to offer no other useful service than this unnecessary document will have to close down running out of money.

1 8

Ram P Friday, 31 January 2025 08:54 PM

This is a good move. Like the SL DL that Police seize when an offence is committed until the fine is paid they cannot seize foreign DLs. That must be borne in mind when vaidating foreign DLs

1 6

Perera Saturday, 01 February 2025 04:30 AM

The issue is that individuals unable to drive are able to get driving licences in SL. We all know how. If they are able to get driving licences in foreign countries based on their SL licence the truth would soon surface and the SL licence would no longer be recognized. This has happened in NZ.

0 6

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 01 February 2025 04:41 AM

These guys are no different than the previous Ministers, they go around with a camera crew and instructs random actions to be done by officers without a detailed study of the subject. Then they go to another place and do the same. The show goes on media and that is all. After 5 years nothing gets implemented.

1 2

Krish Saturday, 01 February 2025 01:28 PM

No country should allow Sri Lankan driving license, the standards of driving in Sri Lanka is so bad. Driving tests are not good enough. Same goes others as well, we should not be allowing licenses from countries with bad driving habits and sub standard driving tests.

0 7

Englishman Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:57 PM

How about stop robbing money from visitors?? I can use my British driving license in any European country, the US, Canada and Australia but to use in Sri Lanka I must obtain a recognition permit from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in order to drive/ride in Sri Lanka with the foreign license and IDP. That costs over $35 (Over Rs 10,000) This is only a money robbing activity. My British license and the driving skills are way beyond Sri Lankan driving standards. How is it justifiable that I can drive virtually in any country with my drivers license but in Sri Lanka I have to pay over Rs 10000. If I come every year then Rs30000. Shame on you Sri Lanka.

0 13

Intiquab Ghouse Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:04 PM

CAA could have a counter in the arrival lounge next to phone booth, more income issuing certificate.

0 1

Terrence K Sunday, 02 February 2025 03:22 PM

You are talking through your hat wanting western countries to accept our driving licences. To obtain a driving licence from a foreign country there are several tests that one has to face and remember that these driving licences cannot be obtain like from a Thosai Kade. Look at the many driving shools training many L plate individuals who know next to nothing about driving or the different signals etc. as the driving schools churn out driving licencees like a factory. Bimal go to England and try to obtain a licence you will be failed many times before you get your driving licence. So it is not easy as you think!!!!

0 4

Adrian Bogahawatte Sunday, 02 February 2025 09:24 PM

The issue that we Sri Lankans are experiencing bad driving on the road is due to fact that the issue of license is not done properly. The licensing authority should not be issuing license by having the test run on a few meters. The training by driver training schools should be regulated to provide the correct training and the licensing authority should do the teat drives based on a points table to have an individual pass a test. The government should study how Australia issue licenses and implement it in SL.

0 4

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