The debate between the Police and tourism service providers about whether foreign tourists driving three-wheelers for travel purposes is legal has sparked a conversation in the society. This discussion points to both legal concerns as well as safety concerns.
Recently, the Police issued a reminder to foreign tourists that driving any vehicle in the country without a valid international driving permit (IDP) or a domestic driving licence from their home country is prohibited. Noting an increasing trend of foreign tourists operating three-wheelers without the necessary credentials, the Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler said that this is totally illegal. In response, rental companies rejected Wootler’s claims and argued that foreign nationals with a valid IDP are indeed allowed to rent and operate vehicles including three-wheelers. They claimed that the process has been in place for decades and is recognised by both the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the law enforcement authorities. Meanwhile, the DMT was reported as saying yesterday (20) that it will not issue driving licences to foreign nationals to drive three-wheelers for the time being, and that it has no plans to introduce a temporary licence for this purpose as well.
Sri Lanka's famous three-wheelers are an iconic feature of the island's roads. They are an integral part of the local culture and daily transport system, which provides both an affordable mode of travel for locals and a unique experience for tourists. However, the ongoing debate has brought attention to the pros and cons of this practice.
While the legal situation of renting and driving three-wheelers is still under debate, the larger issue at hand is safety. If, as Wootler suggests, tourists without valid licences are driving three-wheelers illegally, this poses a significant safety risk. Many tourists come from countries where three-wheelers are not used, which means that they may not be familiar with how to operate these vehicles safely, especially in the complex traffic conditions in Sri Lanka. Even for those who have experience driving in their home countries, Sri Lanka's road traffic laws, road conditions and local driving practices can be considerably different from what they are used to. Moreover, given that three-wheelers are known to be one of the least safe vehicles on the road, there is a question as to whether tourists are equipped to drive these vehicles safely?
Operating three-wheelers is not just about how easy or difficult it is to drive a three-wheeler; it is also about the risk to both the tourists operating them and the locals who share the roads with them.
A substantial responsibility falls on the shoulders of those in the tourism industry, particularly the companies that provide three-wheeler rentals. Many tourism services market three-wheeler rides as an exciting and an authentic local experience, which is an appealing part of Sri Lanka’s culture. Encouraging tourists to embrace local customs and experiences is a positive thing. However, the safety and legality of such activities must never be overlooked. Tourism businesses need to ensure that they are not just selling an experience but also informing tourists about the risks and legal requirements associated with it. If foreign visitors are to be encouraged to rent three-wheelers, they must be thoroughly informed about the necessary documentation, road safety rules, local regulations and more importantly, local road and traffic conditions.
The legal framework surrounding tourists driving three-wheelers, which is currently being debated, needs immediate clarification. To ensure safety and to avoid confusion, all the relevant stakeholders, i.e. the authorities including the law enforcement and the DMT, tourism businesses, and three-wheeler renting companies, must come together to create clear guidelines. These guidelines should outline the specific requirements for tourists wishing to rent three-wheelers and also establish a framework for ensuring compliance with local laws.
At the same time, there are tourist areas in Sri Lanka where it is difficult or even almost impossible to find taxis through taxi apps. In some cases, independent taxi operators who don’t work with these apps, actively oppose app-based taxi service providers from accepting hires in order to charge higher rates and maintain their dominance in those areas. Some independent taxi drivers even resort to assaulting app-based drivers. Given the prevalence of such incidents, which are frequently discussed online, some tourists choose to rent three-wheelers to avoid these challenges. In addition, some tourists prefer to make their own travel arrangements, and in such cases, hiring a vehicle that they can operate easily is a positive option, not to mention that the same is cost-effective and convenient. If the authorities plan to restrict foreign tourists from using self-operated three-wheelers, they must take these practical realities into consideration. It would be detrimental to impose an immediate ban without first addressing these concerns.
Moreover, in an era where digital technology is used to make many aspects of life more convenient, there are opportunities to use modern tools to manage this issue more effectively. For example, technology could be used to monitor the behaviour of tourists renting three-wheelers. Implementing tracking systems or mandatory driver app registrations could help the authorities ensure that tourists follow local traffic laws and regulations. This approach would not only promote safety but also make law enforcement more effective.