No extra charge of Rs.1,000: DMT Commissioner

DMT rejects SB’S claims When obtaining, renewing driving licenses

While rejecting claims made by former Minister S.B. Dissanayake, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Commissioner General A.H.K. Jagath Chandrasiri said yesterday that there was no such extra charge of Rs.1,000 by the department when obtaining or renewing driving licences.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said that he was not aware of charging such amount by the DMT. Addressing the SLFP rebel group’s media briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Dissanayake said that the DMT charged Rs. 1,000 from the public who applied to obtain new driving licences and renew them.

He said the Department charged Rs.30,000 to issue a new driving licence and Rs. 20,000 for renewal.

“Rs.1,700 will be charged when obtaining a new Driving License as approved by the Government. Rs. 500 will be charged as an additional charge for the one day service. No, other extra charges would be applicable. Re-issuing charges for a lost or displaced driving license will be Rs.1,700,” the Commissioner said.

“There is no truth behind the charges claimed by the Mr. Dissanayake’ he said.

“Maybe the Former Minister must have had in a misunderstanding. Charges related to issuing driving licences had been decided by the Government and DMT cannot take any responsibility of making payments to external persons,” the Commissioner said. “There should be regulations for driving schools and for driving instructors soon,” he said.