Know the Rules for Your Move in Sri Lanka
A vehicle-centric system: goods vehicles need annual revenue licensing, insurance, and fitness certification, rather than a separate business-level transport operating licence.
Before you rely on this
Sri Lanka regulates goods vehicles under the Motor Traffic Act, administered by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). Unlike many other countries, this research did not identify a distinct, separate business-level “goods transport operator licence”. Instead, where a mover operates its own vehicles, each goods vehicle (Motor Lorry, Motor Lorry Tailor/trailer) requires its own annual Revenue Licence, current insurance, and fitness/emission certification. The National Transport Commission, by contrast, is focused on passenger (omnibus) transport regulation, not goods. Always confirm current requirements directly before hiring a mover.
What kind of question is it?
Where the mover operates its own vehicles: annual per-vehicle Revenue Licensing from the DMT, requiring current insurance and fitness/emission certification, and drivers holding the correct licence class.
Sri Lanka →The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), with a free, accessible complaint process explicitly covering transportation services.
Covered within the Sri Lanka pageTo arrange the international sea leg in its own name, a mover needs a Freight Forwarder or NVOCC licence from the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, under a dedicated licensing statute.
International: Sri Lanka →Select a page
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Regulations may change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Motor Traffic before hiring a mover.
Checking a specific mover?
Confirm their current IAMTrusted status. It takes one search.
Verify a mover →