Tourists to get temporary driving licences at airport from August

18 July 2025 09:25 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 25 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, July 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry has announced that, starting in August, foreign tourists will be able to obtain temporary driving licences directly at the airport upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Issuing a public notice, the Ministry said that this new measure is aimed at simplifying the process for tourists who wish to drive while in the country. Currently, tourists are required to travel to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Werahera to obtain their temporary licences — a process often seen as inconvenient and time-consuming.

The new system will make it easier and faster for tourists to access local transport options, and is part of broader efforts to improve Sri Lanka’s tourism experience. Further details on the application process and required documents are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Comments - 25

Lanka Friday, 18 July 2025 09:45 PM

This is too late and why our people are slow in all news innovative ideas that are implemented in the world : consider Indian immigration system : old citizens of India give all freedom and leverage even to invest , buy ,sell and trade ? Any time they can visit India without any need to visa or anything : Indian embassies around the world , help and support them . But our dual nationality is outdated and take years to get it : our system outdated in all departments: NPP must send some qualified civil servants to some countries to learn about this system change : I know NPP will not waste any rupees: A lot to learn about modernization of our system : Giving all government documents including PP , NIC and other documents must made quickly/ Opening account for Sri Lankan abroad must be quick Benefiting from our academic and professional Human Resources must be made quick Some schools and colleges in North they benefit from their Tamil academics and professionals but in the south don’t

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THIS DECISION HAS TO BE THOUGHT THROUGH AND ENSURED THAT IF ANY TOURIST MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT AND IS AT FAULT THEY TAKE THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCH INCIDENTS. Saturday, 19 July 2025 08:36 AM

Tourists must know if they propose to drive when visiting the country as it is not as easy as rolling up at the airport, they need the funds to pay for the temporary driving PERMIT, hire of vehicle, insurance etc. WHY DON'T THEY JUST APPLY, PAY FOR AND GET AN INTERNATIONAL LICENCE PRIOR TO MAKING THEIR TRAVELS, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IF OUR CITIZENS WANT TO DRIVE OVERSEAS, WHICH IS USUALLY VALID FOR 12 MONTHS!!. OR ELSE WE WILL HAVE ISSUES IF THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURE OR KILL ANYONE.

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M Fernando Saturday, 19 July 2025 05:36 PM

Even if you DO get an IDP, for some strange reason, it has to be endorsed by AA in Colombo for which a fee has to be paid. May as well do in the airport

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Dr. Dee esquire Friday, 18 July 2025 11:19 PM

Anything it 3 wheeler riding license! Please ! Save their lives and of the others and the sanity of the country.

0 6

Kumara Friday, 18 July 2025 11:49 PM

Foe dual nationality my friend and wife waited 10months. Far too long! Is temporary driving licence will be issued at BIA only or other regional international airports as well?

1 4

james Saturday, 19 July 2025 12:20 AM

Just exempt licenses for scooters. You dont need a license to ride them in most countries.

4 3

Rip Winkle Saturday, 19 July 2025 01:37 AM

I wonder how left hand vehicle drivers will adopt to right hand driving overnight for one. For two, I wonder how they will cope with the chaotic driving of locals.

2 11

Citizens Saturday, 19 July 2025 02:30 AM

Adding more chaos on the road! We will do ANYTHING, just ANYTHING, for the benefit of tourists, but NOTHING for the locals!

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FredSnR Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:38 AM

Driving habits of locals will have to change, poor adherence to the rules, sign posting of roads should improve otherwise nightmare driving

0 12

What nonsense Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:56 AM

So, temporary driving licence for anyone? Even people who have no driving licence in their own country?

11 4

What nonsense Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:56 AM

So, temporary driving licence for anyone? Even people who have no driving licence in their own country?

12 4

Cos Saturday, 19 July 2025 11:03 AM

How can someone be this thick? Seek medical attention immediately.

4 13

What nonsense Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:57 AM

So, temporary driving licence for anyone? Even people who have no driving licence in their own country?

7 3

What nonsense Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:57 AM

So, temporary driving licence for anyone? Even people who have no driving licence in their own country?

7 3

What nonsense Saturday, 19 July 2025 04:57 AM

So, temporary driving licence for anyone? Even people who have no driving licence in their own country?

7 1

Common sense And Logical Reasoning Saturday, 19 July 2025 05:43 AM

Common sense is prevailing rapidly with this new government! Keep it up and hoping to see more new initiatives and improvements especially in transportation, healthcare, financial, all government agencies, toilet facilities etc around the country. Best wishes from a regular visitor to SL

2 4

Realistica Adams Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:34 AM

Absolutely correct. NPP had a well organised machinery and future plans before the elections. There was a Q

2 4

Dakshina Dissanayake Saturday, 19 July 2025 09:09 AM

This was done by Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) and endorsement done by DMT, the temporary driving was called Recognition Permit . This was completely removed from AAC in the recent past due to the illegal authority and large scale corruption at AAC . This was implemented after investigation performed by Department of Auditor General.

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Key Saturday, 19 July 2025 01:37 PM

In Sri Lanka accident rate is very high. Because of that they must have full insurance and they must take full responsibility: when we give this licence they must be told about these facts : I think that they’ll be told all the conditions that this temporary licence has ? What kind of licence is this To drive cars To driver three wheelers To drive heavy vehicles? To driver motorbikes? All these conditions must be met before we ending up some insurance claims that will cost more than what we get from our revenue from these vehicles licences business: it is good for tourism and it is good for us in many ways but it has some negative impacts on our taxi drivers and three wheels drivers as well : Yet , tourism is important fact here I think this is a good idea we need to move on and get progress towards increasing our tourism industry: we need new ideas in all sections

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Nihal Saturday, 19 July 2025 02:40 PM

Another blow to the taxi drivers.

5 1

S A M Saturday, 19 July 2025 02:54 PM

Can the tourists except from countries like India and Pakistan drive in our roads.

2 0

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:45 PM

That would be a huge problem as those guys are the worst drivers wherever they go. Our guys are nothing compared to them. The Pacha Government should build more accidents wards on the roadside .

0 1

Lkf Saturday, 19 July 2025 06:15 PM

The regulation could discriminate against sri lankans with international driving licence. Define the regulation clearly.

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Don Saturday, 19 July 2025 10:06 PM

That is great news ,driving on right might be a challenge for them if they from left oriented driving counties,but many of them get the licence anyway with no trials so that makes things easy. Also, Sri Lankan driving is not chaotic as someone said. I live and work in the US and Canada for years now. definitely Sri Lanka has no chaotic driving compared any of these countries.

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R A Neil Perera Sunday, 20 July 2025 08:38 AM

Though it seems an innovative , it's a huge blow to one sector that works as aauthorized tourist drivers in Sri Lanka . Freelance chauffeur tourist guides will be seriously affected . Tourists would make an emphatic impact on socioeconomic facets , while accounting for loss of minor job categories . Before iimplementing such shortsighted processes , a roundtable conference with the parties concerned is a must . Please reflect on it .

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