Govt. urged to regulate issuance of temporary driving licences to foreigners

7 August 2025 12:10 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 25 Bookmark

A A A

Join our WhatsApp Channel

Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake (third from right) issuing a temporary driving license to a foreigner to mark the occasion of offering temporary licences to foreign tourists (Image courtesy – DMT)

The recently launched on-arrival counter at BIA (Image courtesy – DMT) The Government of Sri Lanka has arranged an efficient service which will allow foreigners to obtain a temporary driving licence in less than 10 minutes

Foreigners have a habit of engaging in risky behaviors when they find a bike or tuk tuk for themselves
The Daily Mirror learned of instances when tourists have been traveling in tuk tuks for over a 100km at high speeds
This service will allow foreigners to obtain a temporary driving licence in less than 10 minutes

“When we travel abroad we would take a car and a driver and drive around, but that doesn’t happen in Sri Lanka. The interest in this case is for tuk tuks. It has become a fashion for foreigners to hire tuk tuks, bikes and scooters”

- Srilal Miththapala, Hospitality Industry Expert

“Certain foreigners maybe allowed to drive tuk tuks on short distances, so that they won’t be disappointed. But if their international driving licenses include tuk tuks as a vehicle category, they are entitled to drive, then they would be allowed to drive tuk tuks here”

- Kamal Amarasinghe Department of Motor Traffic Commissioner

Tourism industry professionals have expressed mixed reactions towards the government’s move to issue temporary driving licences to foreigners. For this purpose, an on-arrival licence issuing counter was recently launched at the Bandaranaike International Airport. However, foreigners have been inclined to hire a tuk tuk, bike or scooter in order to travel around the country for some time. Vehicle rentals in major tourist attractions are in high demand during peak seasons. Industry professionals opine that specific rules and regulations need to be imposed in order to minimise any risks to the lives of tourists and locals when driving around an unknown country.

Hiring tuk tuks, a trend among foreigners

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Srilal Miththapala, who has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, said that 90% of people who arrive in Sri Lanka would never drive. “When we travel abroad we would take a car and a driver and drive around, but that doesn’t happen in Sri Lanka. The interest in this case is for tuk tuks. It has become a fashion for foreigners to hire tuk tuks, bikes and scooters,” he said while adding that regulation is required to ensure the safety of foreigners driving around the country, especially due to road accidents that occur on a daily basis.

Specific regulations necessary

Another tourism industry professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry said that foreigners hire tuk tuks, scooters and travel around the country. The source who spoke on conditions of anonymity said that foreigners have a habit of engaging in risky behaviors when they find a bike or tut tuk for themselves. “For example, I have seen how tourists frequent the bypass road that falls behind the Sigiriya rock. There’s a lone elephant that roams around in this area and sometimes foreigners take selfies. But they are taking a risk. In other countries, nobody is allowed to go anywhere closer to wild animals,” the source opined.

The source further said that foreigners need to be advised on certain restrictions. The Daily Mirror learned of instances when tourists have been traveling in tuk tuks for over a 100km at high speeds. In areas such as Ella, locals have opened up bike and tuk tuk rentals for nominal prices in order to make a quick buck. By imposing restrictions, tourists would be aware of the rules that they shouldn’t break. Authorities should impose fines for any wrongdoings or violations of traffic laws etc. Many of these tourists don’t know the dangers of travelling long distances, given the fact that our terrain varies. They need to take breaks in between. As such, there are certain grey areas that should have been addressed prior to executing this facility,” the source underscored further.

Conditions for foreigners to ride tuk tuks

Addressing the media during the launch of the licence issuing counter at BIA, Department of Motor Traffic Commissioner Kamal Amarasinghe said foreigners will not be allowed to ride tuk tuks. “They will be issued temporary driving licences to ride light vehicles such as bikes. There is no legal provision to allow foreigners to ride tuk tuks. The law is being enforced by the Police. However certain foreigners maybe allowed to drive tuk tuks on short distances, so that they won’t be disappointed. But if their international driving licenses include tuk tuks as a vehicle category, they are entitled to drive, then they would be allowed to drive tuk tuks here,” Amarasinghe further said.

Minister guarantees an efficient service

In his remarks, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Ratnayake said that around 145,000 tourists have arrived in the country as of July. “But even though all of them may not obtain a driving licence, a considerable percentage of tourists may obtain this service. Previously, tourists had to go the DMT branch in Werahera in order to obtain their licences. They had to allocate a day for this purpose when their entire travel period is around one or two weeks. This service will allow foreigners to obtain a temporary driving licence in less than 10 minutes. In future the Police would be equipped with smart phones to verify details of foreigners sans any documentation,” he added.