The government has prepared comprehensive vehicle inspection regulations aimed at improving road safety, with the Motor Vehicles (Inspection) Order set for parliamentary consideration following recent accidents attributed to mechanical defects.
Parliament is expected to review and approve the Motor Vehicles (Inspection) Order No. 03 of 2026, a regulatory framework designed to address ongoing road safety concerns. The initiative follows investigations that identified structural and mechanical problems in vehicles as contributing factors to recent serious accidents across the country.
The proposed order establishes standardized inspection procedures for passenger transport services, school transport, office transport, and rental vehicles used for special tours. These vehicle categories are regulated by multiple authorities including the National Transport Commission, Provincial Passenger Transport Authorities, and the Sri Lanka Transport Board. The framework aims to create consistency in how roadworthiness is assessed across these sectors.
The Motor Vehicles (Inspection) Order was officially published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 on May 19, 2026, introducing new provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act. The initiative has already received Cabinet approval and was formally submitted to Parliament by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
