Do you want to know how to apply for a driving license in Sri Lanka? To get a driver’s license in Sri Lanka, you must meet some prerequisites, obtain a medical certificate, pass the written exam, and finally pass the practical trials to get your license. 

However, these steps may differ if you are a Sri Lankan or a foreigner requiring your license (discussed below).

How Can I Get A Driving License In Sri Lanka? (As A Sri Lankan)

If you are a Sri Lankan above 17 years old, you can get your learner permit, and once you are above 18, you can get your driver’s license. Therefore, if you are over 17 years old and not 18 years old, you can follow steps 1 and 2 as discussed below. 

However, if you are over 18 years old, you can directly follow these steps and get your driving license by following these steps:

• Step 1: Obtain a medical certificate.
• Step 2: Schedule and pass the written exam to get your learner’s permit.
• Step 3: Schedule and pass your practical trials to get your driving license.

So, how long does it take to get a driving license by following the above steps? Well, it takes approximately 3 to 4 months. It takes longer as you can only sit for your practical trials after a minimum of 3 months after your written exam.

Let’s discuss the above three steps, the documents you need, and how you can prepare to get your license (without any hassle).

Step 01: How Do You Get A Medical Certificate For Your Driver’s License?

To get the medical certificate to apply for your learner permit (you must be at least 17 years old), collect the below-mentioned documents and visit the National Transport Medical Institution or Department of Motor Traffic in Sri Lanka. 

Here are the key documents you need to have during your visit:

• National Identity Card (NIC) or valid Passport with NIC number.
• Original and a copy of your birth certificate.
• A pen.
• Approximately Rs. 3000 to 4000 in cash (depending on the license type you are willing to obtain). Get up-to-date information medical certificate pricing here. 

Note: If you have a worn-out NIC, please make sure to bring a valid passport alongside. If the professionals cannot accept your worn-out NIC, you may have to do some extra work to get a written approval request letter to approve your NIC. Therefore, if you have your passport, you can get it done with less hassle.

Once you arrive at the location, here are the quick steps you need to follow to get your medication certificate to apply for your learner permit.

• Obtain a form to apply for your medical certificate.
• Go to the counters where they ask you to go and complete the steps to fill up the form to get the medical certification, such as they will have counters where they note down your height and weight, take a picture of yourself through the webcam, do the eye test, identify your blood type and blood pressure, payment counter, and more.
• Once all the procedures are complete, you can sit in the dedicated hall and wait until your number is called.
• Finally, once your number is announced, you will receive your medical certificate if you have passed the medical test.

Note: Your medical certificate is only valid for 6 months. Therefore, you need to complete the other two steps (mentioned above) and get your license before the medical certificate date expires.

It takes approximately 2.5 hours to get your medical certificate.

Step 02: Schedule And Pass The Written Driving Examination (To Get Your Learner’s Permit)

As a beginner, you must schedule, practice, and pass the written exam to get your learner permit. The primary purpose of it is to educate you about driving and traffic rules and regulations so that you can be a responsible driver.

To schedule your written exam, visit the Department of Motor Traffic DMT RMP. 

Then, here are the steps you need to follow alongside:

• Identify and go to the section where they help you schedule your written exam for the learner permit.
• You can hand over your NIC, original birth certificate, and medical certificate at the reception or dedicated counter.
• Then, a token will be issued, and do not miss the token until you have received the writing exam date.
• Next, you will get your call to join the queue based on the token.
• Once all the procedures are complete, such as filling out the form, biometric verification, and more, you can collect your written driving examination application and fill it out.
• Next, once you hand over the application and the necessary documents, you must pay approximately Rs. 2000 (the exact amount may differ).
• Finally, your written driving exam date will be issued with the payment receipt.

Before the due date for your exam, you can start practicing and researching what the exam is about and what you need to be aware of and be prepared for it. 

You must visit the Department of Motor Traffic DMT RMP on the due date and write the written examination.

If you pass the examination, you can get your learner permit on the same day. But, if you fail the written driving examination, you can resit and complete it successfully.

Step 03: How To Schedule And Pass Your Practical Driving Trials To Get Your Driving License

You must follow the steps below to schedule a practical trial to get your driving license.

First of all, you must visit the Department of Motor Traffic DMT RMP and hand over your NIC, original birth certificate, medical certificate, and learner permit at the right counter. Once your documents are approved, you can make the payment and get the trial date.

Next, on the trial date, you can visit the location mentioned in your trial document and complete your vehicle trial. The results of whether you passed or failed the trial will be shared on the same day. If you pass the trial, you are eligible to get your driver’s license, but if you fail, you can resit.

If you pass the trial, your driving license may arrive at the given residence address in your previous application forms or entered data. Alternatively, if there are any special requirements, you must visit the Department of Motor Traffic DMT RMP and get your driving license.

Further, if you want to have special requirements to obtain other types of driving licenses or any other, check out the official DMT website of Sri Lanka.

How Can I Get A Driving License In Sri Lanka? (As A Tourist)

You can get a temporary driving license as a tourist or foreigner in Sri Lanka. However, even with an international driving license, you can’t drive in Sri Lanka. Therefore, if you need to drive in Sri Lanka, your go-to option is to get a temporary driver’s license.

First, you need to determine what type of driving license you have. Specific individuals may have an international driver’s license or driver’s license issued by your country, whereas the place you visit to get the permit may differ, as discussed below:

• If you have an international driver’s license (issued by your home country), you can visit the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo and get your temporary license. The payment cost would be approximately Rs. 8000.
• If you have a driver’s license issued by your home country, you can contact the Department of Motor Traffic in Colombo to get the provisional permit. The payment cost would be approximately Rs. 1000 per month.

The following are the key documents you need to possess to get the temporary driver’s license:

• Original passport.
• Copy of the passport.
• Copy of the Sri Lankan visa issued.
• A valid driving license (international or driver’s license issued by your country).
• Copy of the driving license.
• 2 passport photo.

The following key steps you need to follow to get a temporary driving license as a tourist or a foreigner in Sri Lanka:

• Visit the Department of Motor Traffic in Werahera along with the essential documents (mentioned above).
• Head to the counter where it indicates foreign license conversion or getting a temporary driving permit.
• You can make the due payment once your documents are verified and scanned.
• After you get the final approval, you can collect your temporary driving license.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we have outlined the steps to getting your driver’s license, whether you are a Sri Lankan, a tourist, or a foreigner. Although it is not easy, if you follow these steps and carry the necessary documents, you can quickly complete each step.

We hope this guide helps you understand how to get your driver’s license in Sri Lanka.