Sri Lanka Motorcycle Written Test exam-day guide
Sri Lanka Motorcycle Written Test · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
National Identity Card or valid passport
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The written test is administered by the National Transport Medical Institute / Department of Motor Traffic network and identity is checked against your application. If you applied through a driving school, confirm with the provider which ID they registered you under.
Learner permit / application receipt
Carry the learner permit (or the receipt issued when you applied) so staff can match you to your record. If you have not yet received the learner permit, confirm with the provider whether the receipt alone is accepted.
Completed medical certificate (if not already filed)
Medical fitness certification is normally required before the learner permit and written test. If you are unsure whether yours is on file, confirm with the provider before test day rather than carrying a duplicate that may not be accepted.
Two or three passport-size photographs
Photographs are commonly needed for the permit and licence paperwork. Bring spare copies; requirements on size and background should be confirmed with the provider.
Fee payment in the accepted form
Bring the test/licence fee in the payment method the office accepts (cash is generally safest). Exact amounts change, so confirm the current fee with the provider or the DMT office where you sit the test.
Black or blue ballpoint pen
Some centres still use paper answer sheets. A working pen costs nothing and avoids borrowing one under time pressure.
Printed confirmation of your test date and centre
Know the exact office, date, and reporting time. If you booked through a driving school, ask them for the appointment details in writing. Confirm with the provider if you have not received any written confirmation.
Glasses or hearing aid if you use them
If your medical certificate notes a corrective aid, bring it. The written test itself may not require it, but the same visit often involves document verification and sometimes a vision check.
Arrive with time to spare and a way to contact your school
Plan to reach the centre well before the reporting time, since queues at DMT and NTM offices are common. Keep your driving school's phone number handy in case of a scheduling problem.
Reviewed road-sign and rule notes
Bring a short one-page summary of signs, road markings, and right-of-way rules to skim while waiting. This is a study aid only; nothing written may be used during the test itself.
Plan the day
Reconfirm your test date, centre, and reporting time with the provider or the office that scheduled you. Check that your medical certificate and application are processed; if anything is pending, resolve it now rather than on the day.
Do two or three full practice runs of sign identification and rule questions under timed conditions. Focus your remaining study on the areas you keep getting wrong, especially road markings, hand signals, and priority at junctions.
Prepare your documents in one folder: original ID, learner permit or receipt, photographs, and any appointment letter. Confirm the current fee and the accepted payment method with the provider.
Check the route to the test centre and the expected travel time, including traffic. Arrange transport so you are not dependent on a single bus or lift. Get a full night's sleep rather than cramming new material.
Do a light review only: reread your one-page summary of signs and priority rules. Pack the folder, pen, glasses, and a water bottle. Set two alarms.
Eat before you go. Arrive at the centre early, dressed neatly and simply. Carry only what you need; keep your phone silenced and out of reach during the test.
Find the counter or officer handling written tests, present your ID and documents, and pay the fee if it is collected on the day. Ask where candidates wait and listen carefully for your name or number.
Read each question fully before answering. Answer the ones you are sure of first and return to harder ones if the format allows. For sign questions, note shape and colour first, then the symbol. Do not rush to leave early; use the time to check your answers.
Ask the staff what the next step is and when results are issued. If you are told you passed, confirm how and when the practical (riding) test is scheduled. If you did not pass, ask about the re-sit procedure and waiting period.
Rules to check
Carry your original National Identity Card or passport. Photocopies and digital images are generally not accepted for identity verification; if your only ID is something unusual, confirm with the provider in advance.
Follow the instructions of examiners and counter staff exactly, including where to sit, when to start, and when to stop writing. Talking or signalling to other candidates during the test can lead to your paper being cancelled.
Switch off your mobile phone and put it away before entering the test room. Using a phone, smartwatch, or any notes during the test is treated as cheating.
Do not bring unauthorised written or printed material into the test room. Study notes must stay outside; only the pen and documents the staff permit should be on your desk.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for permission. Leaving without permission may end your test.
Answer in the format required (marking the sheet or selecting on screen). Check that your name and index number are correct before you begin, and report any error immediately.
Scoring and the pass mark are set by the testing authority. Ask the staff or confirm with the provider what the current pass mark and re-sit rules are rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.
Keep your learner permit conditions in mind for the practical test that follows: you will normally be expected to ride a motorcycle you are licensed to learn on, with L-plates displayed, and to follow all road rules during the ride. Confirm the exact vehicle and document requirements with the provider.