Compulsory new licence for passenger transport drivers from August
Passenger transport drivers in Sri Lanka will be compelled to re-apply for a fresh driving licence in August under new rules for regular passenger transport vehicles.
This applies only to drivers in private and state-run buses, and staff and school van drivers. It doesn’t apply to other passenger vehicles like hiring vans or tourist buses.
Commissioner General of Motor Traffic, S.H. Harischandra said the Motor Traffic Department is making this special driving licence for passenger transport vehicles compulsory for drivers of such vehicles.
He noted that the aim of the new scheme is to reduce the number of road traffic accidents caused by such vehicles and inculcate discipline among drivers of these vehicles particularly, those of buses and school children and staff transporting vans as they have a huge responsibility of many lives in their hands. The Department has finalised draft regulations to implement this scheme as the major cause for accidents is reckless driving, he said. Necessary regulations have already been drafted and it will be legalised soon, he said adding that passenger transport drivers should have high skills in driving, proper training, experience and discipline as well as sound mental condition as the lives of a large number of persons are in their hands.
This proposal was first discussed by the Transport Ministry in 2012 but was never implemented, a senior official of the Transport Ministry said.