Motor Traffic Dept. to launch several programs this year

Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane

• Plans to introduce QR code for driving licenses, demerit points system, remove provincial characters from licence plates

Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane announced yesterday that a pilot project to provide driving licences to people who are completely deaf will be launched across the country this year.

“There are nearly 600,000 to 800,000 individuals with total deafness all across the country; the issuance of driving licences for them, under a special symbols system, has already been implemented in the Gampaha District,” he said at a special media briefing on the Department of Motor Traffic’s new procedures.

Minister Gunawardane also stated that this year will see the removal of provincial characters from licence plates, a reduction in the number of pages in the assignment form, a demerit points system for driving licences, and the issuance of driving licences to the total deaf community.

Motor Traffic Department Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha asserted that steps have been taken to implement a procedure for regulating vehicle repair stations this year.

He also mentioned that vehicle registration fell last year due to import restrictions imposed as a result of the foreign exchange crisis.

Motor Traffic Department Commissioner of Motor Traffic Kusalani de Silva stated that a decision has been made to implement a QR code for driving licences.

She stated that when driver’s licences are renewed, the new licence will include the QR code.

“At the moment, Sri Lanka has four types of driving licences, and all licences will include a QR code when updated,” she added.