International driving
license
If you are planning to get an international driving license (IDP)in Sri Lanka,
there are many essential things that you must consider first. International
driving permits are required of all foreigners who wish to drive in the
country. These permits are required by law to provide peace of mind for the
people involved and the government. Even those who have a previous driving
license from another country need to get an international driving license in
Sri Lanka.
How to get an international driving license? You can get this type
of permit by approaching the Ministry of Transportation or MTO. The MTO has
dedicated officers who will be more than happy to help you out with your
international permit requirements. The process of getting an international
driving permit is pretty simple and straightforward.
Procedure to Apply for
Driving Licence
When you are preparing to apply for an international driving
license (IDP), there are several essential things that you must remember. For
one, you should contact the MTO in advance and make arrangements for an
inspection. You must also apply for a temporary driving license (TDL).
Temporary permits are valid for six months and are only allowed to drive
vehicles up to fourteen people's capacity. If you plan to apply for a permanent
international driving permit, you should apply for a full international driving
license within three years.
Another essential requirement to apply for a driving permit is to
secure a VISA. Although the process of obtaining a VISA is much easier than it
used to be, there are still some requirements that you must follow. For one,
applicants must apply for a VISA from their home country. Then, they should
submit their application to the Ministry of Transport in Sri Lanka. Once the
application is received, the applicant can expect to receive a reply within two
months. Applicants can expect to receive their VISA within three months once
the application is submitted.
If you plan to drive your vehicle on Sri Lanka soil, you will need
to apply for a Temporary Driving License (TDL). Temporary permits are valid for
a specific period. The Ministry of Transport will determine the timeframe. To
obtain a provisional driving license, applicants must have a valid passport and
a visa. Temporary permits are only available during the period of validity of
their original passport or visa.
Standard driver's license
Permanent residency is required for foreigners who plan to apply for a standard driver's license or for foreigners who intend to purchase a permanent driver's license. When applying for a permanent residency, applicants must first obtain a visa. To get a permit, applicants must apply for a VISA from their home country. The applicant then travels to the Thai consulate in their country of origin and obtains a Temporary Residence Card.
When tourists and foreign visitors in Sri Lanka acquire a standard
driver's license or apply for a driving license, they may also be required to
present proof of their identities, such as photo identification or a copy of
their birth certificate. A photo may be required for a license in some cases,
but applicants must know that Thai immigration officials may not approve a
license without a photo. If the applicant does not possess a picture or the
required identification documents, they may still be able to obtain a hardcopy
IDP instead.
Conclusion
Obtaining an International Driving Permit or ITP is not tricky. It can be easier than getting a Thai driving license or permanent residency in any country because there are no rules or restrictions on international driving license acquisition. You can take a short road test for dMT compliance and then present it along with your hardcopy license or your original passport when applying for your permanent residency status.
