MTD to update 2 m driving licences under new system
The Department of Motor Traffic (MTD) is set to launch a new system aimed at updating the information of approximately 2 million driving license holders who have not yet updated their details.
Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Engineer Ranjith Rubasinghe said the department plans to complete this entire updating process by the end of this year.
Since the issuance of the first driving license in Sri Lanka in the 1960s, around 12.3 million licences have been issued.
Notably, the initial licences issued during the 1960s had no expiration date, allowing them to be used indefinitely without renewal. Consequently, information for about 2 million license holders remains outdated.
The digitisation of transport sector services is currently in progress, with procurement for digitising black marks and on-the-spot fines nearing completion.
Starting January 1, 2025, fines and penalties will be imposed through this new system, which will require up-to-date information for all driving licenses.
Mr. Rubasinghe clarified that the new process for updating licence holder information would not necessitate new medical records or a visit to the MTD.
The goal is to update the information of all licence holders by the end of this year, without issuing new licences or canceling existing ones. Additionally, the MTD plans to introduce the e-Driving Licence within the first half of 2025, he added.
Due to a recent shortage of cards, the department issued temporary driving licences to approximately 800,000 individuals, of which only 91,000 have received their cards. The remaining cards are expected to be issued within the next two months. Since last year, about 200,000 new driving licences have been issued, and all of these will be processed before the end of this year. Normal card issuance for new licences is expected to resume next year.
In addition, the government has decided to produce vehicle number plates locally, aiming to save over Rs.600 million annually, which would otherwise flow out of
Sri Lanka.
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