Vehicle registrations surge; over 133,000 registered in 2025 so far

Colombo, August 5 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has recorded a significant increase in vehicle registrations this year, with a total of 133,678 vehicles registered as of July 2025, Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said.

According to the data, motorcycles accounted for the majority with 100,451 registrations, followed by 20,535 motor cars, 3,293 three-wheelers, and 1,995 dual-purpose vehicles.

Monthly figures indicate a steady rise in registrations:

• January – 11,464 vehicles
• February – 12,712 vehicles
• March – 13,387 vehicles
• April – 17,563 vehicles
• May – 18,463 vehicles
• June – 22,567 vehicles
• July – 37,622 vehicles

In addition to new registrations, there has also been an increase in vehicle financing and ownership transfers, Amarasinghe said.

Meanwhile, the DMT announced that the previous contract for issuing number plates was cancelled on April 30, 2025, and the process has been temporarily suspended until a new service provider is selected. The department expects to finalize a new contract within the next one to one-and-a-half months.

Until then, owners of newly registered vehicles will be allowed to use temporary number plates, subject to DMT approval. The police and relevant District Secretaries have been informed of the temporary measure, allowing these vehicles to be used without legal impediments.