The Sri Lanka Police Traffic Headquarters has issued a statement addressing the growing concern over foreign tourists operating three-wheelers without valid licenses, which has led to a noticeable increase in fatal, serious, and minor accidents.
According to the Traffic Headquarters, there has been a significant rise in foreign nationals, both men and women, driving three-wheelers throughout the country. However, many of these tourists do not possess the necessary licenses or training, contributing to the escalating number of accidents.
To legally drive a vehicle in Sri Lanka, foreigners must have one of the following licenses:
- A valid Sri Lankan driving license.
- An international driving license valid for use in Sri Lanka.
- A valid driving license from their home country, converted and certified by the Department of Motor Traffic.
It is important to note that international driving licenses do not cover driving three-wheelers, nor do the converted foreign licenses include the relevant category for three-wheeler operation.
The valid driving license categories for operating three-wheelers in Sri Lanka are:
Old Driving License:
- Category A: Issued for heavy vehicles, valid for driving three-wheelers.
- Category E: Specifically for motor tricycles.
New Driving License:
- B1 Motor Tricycle: Permits driving of three-wheelers.
- Categories C, C1, CE, D, and D1: Also valid for driving three-wheelers.
- Category B (for dual-purpose vehicles): Does not permit driving three-wheelers. A separate driving test must be taken to obtain a Category B1 license.
Additionally, if someone is trained to drive a motor vehicle in Sri Lanka, they must pass a written test to receive a training permit.
The police are particularly concerned about foreigners who not only drive three-wheelers without a valid license but also earn money by providing transportation services.
To address this issue, the police have announced that vehicle owners who allow unlicensed individuals to operate their vehicles will be summoned, statements will be recorded, and cases will be filed against them in court.
According to Section 123 (1) B of the Motor Traffic Act, allowing an unlicensed person to drive a motor vehicle is a punishable offense with a fine of Rs. 25,000, which will be imposed on the vehicle owner.
The Sri Lanka Police Traffic Headquarters urges hotels, tourism establishments, and vehicle rental companies to verify that tourists possess valid driving licenses before providing them with three-wheelers or other vehicles.
The authorities hope that enforcing these rules will help reduce the number of accidents and improve road safety across the country.
