6.1 Driving Licence Classes, the Written Test and Learner's Permits
Key Takeaways
You may register and sit the written test for a light-vehicle licence after completing 17 years, with an NTMI medical certificate obtained within the previous six months.
A pass leads to a learner's permit valid for up to 18 months; the practical test requires age 18 and at least three months as a learner.
Class B covers motor vehicles with up to nine seats including the driver and a maximum authorised tare under 4,500 kg, plus dual-purpose vehicles and motor homes, with a trailer tare under 750 kg (Act No. 18 of 2017).
A learner must be accompanied by the holder of a licence valid for that class who is at least 21 years old, and carry a white board with a red letter L above each number plate (s.123(2)(e)).
The DMT levy for a learner's permit and new licence for one class is Rs. 2,500 (normal) or Rs. 3,500 (same-day); re-sitting the written test costs Rs. 500.
6.1 Driving Licence Classes, the Written Test and Learner's Permits
This section explains where the written test fits in the licensing process, which vehicles a light-vehicle licence covers, and the legal conditions on learner drivers. These facts come from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) "New Driving License" page, Part VII of the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203) as amended by Act No. 8 of 2009, Act No. 18 of 2017 and Act No. 10 of 2019, and the Motor Traffic (Driving Licence Levy) Regulations No. 03 of 2022 as amended to November 2025.
1. Who Runs the System
The Department of Motor Traffic registers vehicles and issues driving licences under the Commissioner-General of Motor Traffic. Its head office is at Narahenpita, Colombo 5, and driving licences are issued at the Werahera office and at district offices. Under section 123(2)(b) of the Act, the Commissioner-General conducts the theory examination, the written test this guide prepares you for. A candidate who passes, and meets the age and fitness conditions, is issued a Learner's Permit.
2. Licence Classes (Schedule to Section 122, Replaced by Act No. 18 of 2017)
| Class | Vehicles | Also allows you to drive |
|---|---|---|
| A | Motorcycles over 99 cc | A1, G1 |
| A1 | Motorcycles under 100 cc | G1 |
| B | (i) Motor vehicles with not more than nine seats including the driver's and a maximum authorised tare under 4,500 kg; (ii) dual-purpose vehicles; (iii) motor homes. A trailer with an authorised tare under 750 kg may be attached, and the class includes vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities | G1, B2 |
| B1 | Motor tricycles and motor tricycle vans: authorised tare under 500 kg, gross vehicle weight under 1,000 kg | G1 |
| B2 | Quadricycles | G1 |
| C1 / C / CE | Light motor lorries / motor lorries / heavy motor lorries | Lower goods and light classes |
| D1 / D / DE | Light motor coaches / motor coaches / heavy motor coaches | Lower classes |
| G / G1 | Land vehicles (tractors), with or without a trailer / hand tractors | G1 |
| J | Special-purpose vehicles | B, G, G1 |
| H | Vehicles used by persons with disabilities |
Section 122A splits these into light motor vehicles (A, A1, B, B1, B2, G, G1 and H) and heavy motor vehicles (C, C1, CE, D, D1, DE and J).
Note
A Class B licence does not include a three-wheeler (B1) or a motorcycle (A or A1). Each needs its own class on the licence. The DMT website's older table, based on the 2009 schedule, describes Class B by a 3,500 kg gross weight. The schedule now in force (Act No. 18 of 2017) uses nine seats and a tare under 4,500 kg.
3. Step by Step: From Application to Licence
| Step | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Medical | An aptitude medical certificate from the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI), or from a registered medical practitioner authorised by the NTMI or the Commissioner-General, obtained within 6 months before applying | s.124(1)(a); DMT |
| 2. Documents | Attend in person with the National Identity Card, or a valid passport carrying the NIC number. First-time applicants bring the original birth certificate. Offline offices also need two black-and-white passport photographs on a white background | DMT |
| 3. Age for the written test | 17 years completed for light vehicles (20 for heavy vehicles) | s.123(2)(c); DMT |
| 4. Fee | Learner's permit and new licence, one class: Rs. 2,500 normal service or Rs. 3,500 same-day; two classes Rs. 3,000 / Rs. 4,000; three or more Rs. 3,500 / Rs. 4,500. Re-sitting the written test: Rs. 500. Re-sitting the practical test: Rs. 1,000 | Levy Regs No. 03 of 2022 |
| 5. Written theory test | Pass the Commissioner-General's theory examination | s.123(2)(b) |
| 6. Learner's Permit | Issued for a maximum of 18 months | DMT |
| 7. Practise | At least 3 months as a learner, with L plates and a qualified supervisor | s.123(2)(f), s.124(2)(b) |
| 8. Practical test | Must have completed 18 years and held the permit for at least 3 months; passing is compulsory | s.124(2); DMT |
| 9. Licence | A probationary licence of one to two years under the demerit-point rules, then the full licence. A light-vehicle licence is valid for 8 years (heavy vehicles: 4 years) | s.123(3), s.126(1) |
What the written test looks like
The DMT does not publish an official question count, pass mark or time limit for the theory test. Driving schools and motoring guides consistently report a 45-question multiple-choice paper, of which light-vehicle candidates answer the first 40 and need 30 correct. Heavy-vehicle candidates also answer the technical questions at the end. The DMT has used touch-screen computer testing at Werahera since 2018: each candidate gets a randomly selected set from a question bank, a countdown timer, and an immediate result. The DMT's own published sample paper (Sinhala and Tamil, on its Downloads page) is the best guide to the content: road signs, road markings, rules of the road and basic vehicle technology.
4. Rules for Learner Drivers (Section 123(2))
- L plates: after passing the written test, the learner applies for L plates (sizes 11 × 9 inches at Rs. 1,000 or 5 × 4 inches at Rs. 500). Above each identification (number) plate the vehicle must carry a white board or plate bearing the letter "L" painted in red. Each dimension of the letter must be at least twice the corresponding dimension of the letters on the number plate (s.123(2)(e)(iii)).
- Insurance: the learner must obtain insurance cover as required by section 99 (s.123(2)(d)(ii)).
- Supervisor: the learner must be accompanied by a person who holds a driving licence valid for that class of vehicle and is at least 21 years old, seated beside the learner to instruct. This does not apply to motorcycles and tractors (s.123(2)(e)(ii)).
- Passengers: no one other than the learner and the instructor may travel in the vehicle. A registered driving instructor may carry up to three learners in a car-class vehicle (s.123(2)(e)(i)).
- No lending the L plate: the plate holder must not let someone else use it for learning (s.123(2)(e)).
- Carrying the permit: a driver who fails to carry a valid learner's permit or licence, including the endorsement form, commits an offence punishable by a fine of Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 5,000 (s.135(1A)).
A learner who breaks these conditions commits an offence punishable under the general penalty in section 224: Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 7,500 for a first conviction, rising for repeat convictions.
5. Driving Without the Right Licence
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving a class of vehicle without a licence valid for it (s.123(1)(a)) | Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000; Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 for a repeat offence |
| Employing or permitting an unlicensed driver (s.123(1)(b)) | The same as above |
| Driving a light vehicle under 18, or a heavy vehicle under 21 (s.123(1)(c)) | Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000; Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 for a repeat offence |
| Driving while your licence is suspended, cancelled or expired (s.126(4)) | Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 |
6. Renewal and Medical Fitness
To renew or extend a licence you need the current licence, your NIC (or passport with the NIC number) and a fresh NTMI medical certificate obtained within six months. The renewal levy for one period is Rs. 2,800 (normal service), plus Rs. 500 if the licence lapsed a year or less earlier. A person refused a medical certificate may appeal to the Medical Committee (s.124C–124D). A person refused a licence after meeting all the requirements may appeal to the Motor Traffic Appeals Board, which must decide within 30 days (s.124B).
Under section 123(2)(e)(ii) of the Motor Traffic Act, who may accompany a learner driving a car?
Any adult passenger aged 18 or over, seated anywhere in the vehicle with the learner
A holder of a licence for that class who is at least 21, seated beside the learner
Only a police officer or a DMT examiner in uniform
Any driver who has held a licence of any class for at least 10 years
Under the DMT's rules for a new light-vehicle licence, at what age may you register and sit the written test, and what must happen before the practical test?
17 for the written test; 18 and 3 months as a learner for the practical test
18 years for the written test and 21 years for the practical driving test
16 years for the written test and 17 years for the practical driving test
17 years for the written test, with the practical test allowed on the next working day
Which vehicles may the holder of a Class B licence also drive under the schedule to section 122 as replaced by Act No. 18 of 2017?
Motor tricycles (B1) and all motorcycles (A)
Light motor lorries (C1)
Hand tractors (G1) and quadricycles (B2)
Light motor coaches (D1)
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.