Government extends validity of driving licenses due to November disruptions

The government has announced an extension for driving licenses set to expire within a specific period, providing relief to motorists affected by recent disruptions.

According to the new directive, the validity of driving licenses scheduled to expire between November 25, 2025, and December 24, 2025, has been extended by one month from their original date of expiry.

Official Regulations and Approval

This extension was formalized under the Motor Vehicles (Temporary Extension of Validity of Driving Licenses) Regulations No. 04 of 2025. The regulations were published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2467/52 on December 17, 2025.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to present these regulations for parliamentary approval under the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203).

Reasons for the Extension

The decision was taken to prevent inconvenience to the public and ensure road safety following two main issues encountered in November 2025:

• Severe Weather Conditions: Heavy rains and adverse weather disrupted daily life, making it difficult for the public to visit offices for license renewal.
• Technical Glitches: The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) experienced computer system failures during this period, which hindered the issuance and renewal process.

Motorists holding licenses expiring within the specified dates can now utilize this one-month grace period to renew their documents without penalty.