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How to Register a New Vehicle in Sri Lanka (First Registration)

Verified · 8 Nov 2026

A vehicle that has never been registered in Sri Lanka is registered by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). Fill in form MTA 2 in English and hand it in at the DMT Head Office in Narahenpita, Colombo 5, with your ID copy, photos of you and the vehicle, the customs papers for an imported vehicle and, for most vehicles, your TIN. A car up to 1600cc costs Rs. 25,000 to register, plus number plates, inspection and postal fees. Motorcycles can be registered at the DMT branch of a District Secretariat.

At a glance

Fee
Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 40,000
See all 15 fees
Where
Department of Motor Traffic Head Office, No. 341, Alvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita, Colombo 5 (all vehicles, 9 am to 1.30 pm on working days)
+ 1 more place
Form
MTA 2
+ 2 more

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • You bought or imported a vehicle that has never been registered in Sri Lanka.
  • The registration is in your name (or your company's), including vehicles on lease or hire purchase.

Who can apply

  • The vehicle must not have been registered in Sri Lanka before.
  • Left-hand drive vehicles are not registered in Sri Lanka.
  • For all vehicles except motorcycles, hand tractors, tractors, tractor trailers and three-wheelers, the new owner must give their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 13 ready

  • Free at the DMT Head Office or a District Secretariat, or download it.

Only if…

  • The Inland Revenue Department requires it to register a motor vehicle. See the TIN guide.

  • DMT provides an affidavit template.

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Get form MTA 2

    Collect it free from the applications counter at the DMT Head Office or a District Secretariat, or download it. Fill it in English only, because the details are entered into a computer system.

  2. Step 2
    Gather your documents

    Collect your ID copy, two certified photos of yourself, two photos of the vehicle, and the customs, TIN and finance documents that apply to your vehicle.

  3. Step 3
    Hand in the documents

    Take the documents to the relevant registration branch at the DMT Head Office, Narahenpita, Colombo 5, between 9 am and 1.30 pm on working days.

  4. Step 4
    Pay the registration charges

    Pay the registration fee for your vehicle class, plus the number plate fee, inspection fee and postal fee. Registering an absolute owner, a mortgage or lease, or a prototype certificate is charged separately.

  5. Step 5
    Register on time

    Late registration carries a penalty that grows with the delay. For commercial vehicles, registering more than 90 days after the customs entry (CusDec) date adds a fine of 3% of the CIF value, plus 3% for every further 30 days, up to 45%.

  6. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Get form MTA 2

    Collect it free from the applications counter at the DMT Head Office or a District Secretariat, or download it. Fill it in English only, because the details are entered into a computer system.

  2. Step 02

    Gather your documents

    Collect your ID copy, two certified photos of yourself, two photos of the vehicle, and the customs, TIN and finance documents that apply to your vehicle.

  3. Step 03

    Hand in the documents

    Take the documents to the relevant registration branch at the DMT Head Office, Narahenpita, Colombo 5, between 9 am and 1.30 pm on working days.

  4. Step 04

    Pay the registration charges

    Pay the registration fee for your vehicle class, plus the number plate fee, inspection fee and postal fee. Registering an absolute owner, a mortgage or lease, or a prototype certificate is charged separately.

  5. Step 05

    Register on time

    Late registration carries a penalty that grows with the delay. For commercial vehicles, registering more than 90 days after the customs entry (CusDec) date adds a fine of 3% of the CIF value, plus 3% for every further 30 days, up to 45%.

Fees

Fees

Registration fee, depending on vehicle type
Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 40,000

From Rs. 3,000 for a motorcycle to Rs. 40,000 for a car above 1600cc, plus number plate, inspection and postal fees. See the rows below.

Motor car up to 1600cc / 80kW – registration fee
Rs. 25,000

Plus Rs. 3,300 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal / documentation fee.

Motor car above 1600cc / 80kW – registration fee
Rs. 40,000

Plus the same number plate, inspection and postal fees.

Dual purpose vehicle up to 1000cc / 50kW – registration fee
Rs. 20,000

Rs. 25,000 above 1000cc / 50kW. Plus number plate, inspection and postal fees.

Motor cycle / light motor cycle – registration fee
Rs. 3,000

Plus Rs. 2,400 number plates, Rs. 500 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee.

Motor tricycle (three-wheeler) – registration fee
Rs. 5,000

Plus Rs. 2,800 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee.

Motor lorry / light motor lorry, or motor coach (bus) – registration fee
Rs. 7,000

Plus Rs. 3,300 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee.

Vehicle used by a person with a disability – registration fee
Rs. 2,000

Plus Rs. 3,300 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee.

Tractor (4 wheel) or agricultural land vehicle – registration fee
Rs. 8,000

New or used. Plus Rs. 2,400 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee. A 2-wheel tractor is Rs. 2,000.

Motor lorry prime mover – registration fee
Rs. 25,000

Plus Rs. 3,300 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee. A motor lorry trailer is Rs. 15,000 and a tractor trailer or bowser Rs. 7,000.

Special purpose vehicle – registration fee
Rs. 30,000

Plus Rs. 3,300 number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee. A motor ambulance or hearse is Rs. 10,000.

Quadricycle or motor home – registration fee
Rs. 7,000 / Rs. 35,000

Rs. 7,000 for a quadricycle and Rs. 35,000 for a motor home, plus Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee.

Transfer fee, if ownership is transferred with the first registration
Rs. 500 – Rs. 7,750

Depends on the vehicle class: Rs. 7,750 for a car or dual purpose vehicle, Rs. 3,750 for a lorry or bus, Rs. 500 for a motorcycle or three-wheeler.

Late registration penalty, motor car
Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 50,000

Rs. 12,000 if more than 90 days but under a year late, rising to Rs. 50,000 after 5 years. Each class has its own scale, for example Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000 for a motorcycle and Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 12,000 for a three-wheeler.

Reserving a registration number in advance
Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000

Depends on how far ahead of the current number it is, up to 50,000 numbers ahead.

Where to go

Forms

More detail

Contact the Department of Motor Traffic

  • Phone: +94 112 033333
  • Address: Department of Motor Traffic, No. 341, Alvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita, Colombo 5
  • WhatsApp for appeals and complaints: 071 4033300

Common problems

I don't have a TIN.
For most vehicles other than motorcycles, three-wheelers and tractors, the DMT needs your TIN. Register for one with the Inland Revenue Department before you apply.
My commercial vehicle has been at the port for a while.
Pay the registration fees within 90 days of the customs entry (CusDec) date. After that, a fine of 3% of the CIF value is added, and it grows every 30 days up to 45%.
The vehicle is left-hand drive.
Left-hand drive vehicles are not registered in Sri Lanka.
The vehicle is on a lease or hire purchase.
Bring form MTA 3 so the finance company is registered as the absolute owner, or a copy of the mortgage deed.

FAQ

How much does it cost to register a car in Sri Lanka?
For a car up to 1600cc (80kW), Rs. 25,000 registration fee, plus Rs. 3,300 for number plates, Rs. 1,000 inspection and Rs. 150 postal fee. Above 1600cc the registration fee is Rs. 40,000.
Where do I register a vehicle?
At the Department of Motor Traffic Head Office in Narahenpita, Colombo 5. Motorcycles can also be registered at the DMT branch of a District Secretariat.
Do I need a TIN to register a vehicle?
Yes, for all vehicles except motorcycles, hand tractors, tractors, tractor trailers and three-wheelers. You also give an affidavit certifying the TIN.
Is there a penalty for registering late?
Yes. For a car, from Rs. 12,000 if more than 90 days late up to Rs. 50,000 after 5 years. Commercial vehicles registered more than 90 days after the customs entry date also pay a fine based on the CIF value.
Can I choose my registration number?
You can reserve a number up to 50,000 ahead of the current number, for Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000 depending on how far ahead it is.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages8 Nov 2026

Independent, not official

HowToSriLanka.lk is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

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