Plastic Insurance cards obsolete, Police must accept digital certificates: DIG Traffic

Validity of the insurance certificate could be verified by calling *1338#   

By Nandana Kelegama   

DIG Traffic and Road Safety Division W.P.J.Senadeera stressed that the issue of plastic insurance cards for vehicles is now obsolete and that the police officers on traffic duty should not inconvenience the drivers by asking for the insurance certificate in a plastic card.  

He said the digital insurance certificate has replaced the old plastic card system with effect from May 01.   

“Any Insurance Company would not issue the plastic card for vehicles insured after May 01. The validity of the insurance certificate could be verified by calling *1338#. It is imperative that all police officers have a thorough knowledge of this new system. If any police officer caused inconvenience by insisting on the insurance certificate issued under the old system, it should be immediately reported to the senior officials,” he further said.   

However, several drivers said the officers on traffic duty are not conversant with the new system, and they insist on producing the plastic insurance card,   

“Police officers even reject the cash receipt issued by the insurance company and they are not able to verify the validity of the insurance when we let them use our mobile phones. We are facing inconvenience and the danger of legal action,” they said.