For years, the hearing impaired have been advocating for the right to obtain a driving licence. While many foreign countries have mechanisms in place to provide persons with disabilities with driving licences, no such system exists in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, allowing persons with disabilities to import tax-free modified vehicles is a common practice in those countries.
Sticker to identify a vehicle driven by a deaf person
However, current Sri Lankan law does not make any provisions to allow persons with disabilities to operate a vehicle. Nonetheless, some have resorted to driving illegally, prompting questions about why their rights are being restricted while others enjoy this privilege.
The Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf has made representations to consecutive Ministers of Transport and State officials on several occasions, but their efforts have not yielded any results.
With the current State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, showing interest in the issue, a Cabinet Paper was submitted by Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, seeking approval to provide the differently-abled with a driving licence, which was promptly granted. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken a keen interest in this program and urged officials to expedite it.
According to Motor Vehicle Inspector Engineer Sanath Wijebandara, special attention must be given to the process, as in the event of an accident, it could lead to severe criticism against the differently-abled by the other driver(s), passers-by or pedestrians. Additionally, he said they may face false accusations of wrongdoing, as they may be unable to respond adequately. Most hearing impaired persons are also speech-impaired and may not know how to convey their side of the story to the Police or a third party involved in an accident.
Sign language
Vehicle Inspection Engineer, Motor Traffic Department, Eng.
Sanath Vijaybandara
“Research shows that differently-abled individuals are typically overly cautious, hence mistakes are uncommon. However, accidents can occur at any time. Therefore, a plan has been formulated to connect them with a sign language interpreter who will be available 24 hours a day to provide support,” he said.
According to Wijebandara, a pilot project was initiated in late 2022 in the town of Gampaha. “Seventy-six people had applied to be part of it. We held seminars in November 2022 and conducted a written test thereafter. The test results showed that they had acquired a good understanding of road rules and safety. Forty-four people passed this. I believe that the majority passing the test is a positive sign,” he said.
Secretary, Central Federation of the Deaf, Anil Jayawardene
Wijebandara said the questions were displayed on a screen while a sign language interpreter also presented it to the applicants. Those who passed the test were permitted to drive with an L sign for three months. Subsequently, they received further training in 2023 under an instructor before undergoing a trial in March 2023. “Out of the hearing impaired persons requesting a license, 36 passed while only one failed. Additionally, two passed for dual-purpose vehicles (cars, pick-ups and vans), while three managed to obtain three-wheeler licenses,” he said.
According to him, a majority had requested a motorcycle/scooter licence, which is more affordable and maneuverable than a motor car. Those who were successful were handed driving licences by the Minister in Gampaha.
Sign Language Translator, Central Federation of the Deaf, Janaka Ranasinghe
Wijebandara said that drivers with disabilities are subject to several additional rules. “They must affix a special sticker on the vehicle they are operating, indicating their hearing impairment. This sticker must also be displayed on the helmet and the jacket if they are using a motorcycle. This measure aims to minimise issues with other drivers and even the Police,” he said.
The second phase of the pilot project was conducted in Kurunegala, and driving licences will soon be issued to those who successfully passed the tests. Wijebandara also said that another pilot project will be held in Colombo shortly.
Wijebandara said that sign language interpreters were provided at every stage of the program and would continue to be available even after the drivers obtain licences to assist them in case any issues arise.
Fundamental human right
Niluka Nilmini who received a driving licence
The Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf Secretary Anil Jayawardene commended the move by the Government and the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). He said that paying attention to the needs of persons with disabilities is a social mission. The differently-abled also have a fundamental human right to enjoy every facility used by able-bodied persons, he said.
“Some persons with disabilities have been driving various vehicles without a licence. We appreciate that this program has put an end to this social crisis,” he said.
Janaka Ranasinghe, the sign language interpreter of the federation, noted that this licence has been issued under 14 special rules and regulations, and it is the responsibility of the license holders to adhere to all those rules every time they take the wheel or handle as the case may be.
Mohamed Razack who received a driving licence
Even with a driving licence, hearing-impaired individuals can only use the relevant vehicles for their personal needs as per the license terms. Three-wheelers or other vehicles cannot be employed for passenger transport services on hire under any circumstances. The pillion rider, if any, must also wear the appropriate sticker on the helmet and jacket, even if he or she has no auditory impairment.
The DMT stated that it will print the numbers of one or two vehicles (such as a motorcycle and a car) on the driver’s licence of the concerned persons. Consequently, those persons will then only be allowed to operate the vehicles indicated on their licence, since other vehicles may not be familiar to them. The Government is exploring the possibility of expanding this program to cover certain other disabilities, with officials studying the methods used in other countries.
In other countries, cars are modified by aftermarket dealers to be driven with the use of hands for those whose legs have been amputated. Moreover, car and van doors are also modified for easy wheelchair access, while buses also come with a ramp for wheelchair-bound passengers to enter and disembark easily. Buses also have LCD screens that display the name of the next halt/destination primarily for the benefit of hearing impaired persons.
