Sharp increase in vehicle registrations

By Ananda KANNANGARA

B. D. L. Dharmapriya	W.M.A. Wijekoon

The Motor Traffic Department, popularly known as RMV (Registrar of Motor Vehicles) last week revealed that a record number of 3.7 million motor vehicles have been registered since its establishment in 1928.

The RMV also expects a large number of motor vehicles on the roads this year due to the tax concession granted by the Government on motor vehicles. According to RMV statistics over 370,000 newly introduced 'Smart' Cards are being used by motorists all over the country.

Motor Traffic Commissioner General, B. D. L. Dharmapriya in an interview with the Sunday Observer said, due to the Government's tax reduction, a record number of 185,595 new motor vehicles including motor cars, three wheelers, motor cycles, single cabs, motor lorries and tractors were registered with the RMV during the past seven months.

He said, during the 12-month period of last year, 204,075 new motor vehicles have been registered in the country.

"When comparing the number of new vehicles registered during 2009 and the first seven months of 2010, we could expect a 50 per cent increase in new vehicles during the next five months," he said.

According to RMV statistics, 5762 new motor cars, 37,364 three wheelers, 135,421 motor cycles, 739 buses, 1280 dual purpose vehicles, 8225 lorries and 13,951 land vehicle- trailers were registered last year, while 4069 motor cars, 45,044 three wheelers, 113,953 motor cycles, 1101 motor coaches, 2889 single cabs, 6985 lorries, 7037 hand tractors and 1277 trailers were registered during the first seven months of this year.

He said, due to the Government's tax concessions, 33,440 new vehicles have been purchased last month and it is the first time a large number of motor vehicles were purchased during a month.

Commissioner General Dharmapriya also predicted a significant increase of motor cycles during the next five months when considering the number of applications received by the RMV to have their motor cycles registered.

Considering the record number of 3000 applications received daily by the RMV, the services of 70 more employees are needed to provide a better service to the public, he said.

The Commissioner General also expressed concern over the lack of space in the RMV office to preserve 3.7 million vehicle registration files.

"New buildings are needed to use as record rooms," as the present number of 3.7 million files will be doubled in the years to come, he said.

When asked about the delays in new vehicle registrations and transferring of used vehicles, the Commissioner General said that unlike in the past, the whole administrative network in the RMV is computerised and this situation would help the Department in registrations and transferring of vehicles within a period of less than 45 days.

He said all types of new vehicle registrations are presently done only at the RMV head office at Narahenpita, but the owners of new motor cycles could get them registered at Department offices, established at Divisional Secretariats countrywide.

"However, no Divisional Secretariats have been given the authority to register new motor vehicles such as cars, vans, lorries or buses".

"In addition to the normal service, people could receive their vehicle transferings and registrations under the 'One Day' service program, accordingly a sum of Rs. 1,700 is charged for the registration of cars, lorries and buses, while Rs. 900 and Rs. 400 is charged for motor cycles and three wheelers respectively.

Motor Traffic Department, Deputy Commissioner, W. M. A. Wijekoon who is in charge of the Driving Licence Processing Division at Werahera, Boralesgamuwa highlighted the importance of using the new `Smart' card instead of the old driving licence and said that 'Smart' cards cannot be processed illegally or altered under any circumstances. "The Smart card system has the ISO certification and 154 countries worldwide are currently using this technology to produce driving licences,".

He said, the system was commenced in March 2009 and over 370,000 cards have been issued up to date. The `Smart' card has 21 security features including the owner's thumb impression and they are processed only at the Werahera Head Office by using sophisticated electronic machines.

He said, the Department issues nearly 50,000 driving licences every month and highlighted that over four million people have driving licences. Asked about the age limit to obtain a driving licence, Deputy Commissioner Wijekoon said that motor vehicle licences could be obtained after 18 years and licences for heavy vehicles are issued after the applicant reaches 21 years with two years motor vehicle experience.

He said, if the applicant is in good health according to the medical certificate issued by an authorised doctor, there is no age limit to apply for driving licences in Sri Lanka. "All applicants must go through a written test and personally visit the Motor Traffic Department to apply for a driving licence," he said.