DMT Says Skip the Brokers Outside Its Gates — So Why Do So Many Still Use Them?

On November 12, the Department of Motor Traffic publicly warned the public to stay away from the brokers who hang around outside its offices, saying some mislead people into handing over cash and documents for "faster" transfers and licences. The DMT points to its own online appointment system and the district/divisional secretariat counters as proof you don't need a middleman anymore. But anyone who has actually stood in that queue knows why the brokers exist in the first place — slow counters, confusing forms, and an uncanny pattern of things moving quicker when a familiar face is working the process for you. One side: paperwork at a government office should be simple enough that nobody needs to pay a stranger outside the gate to do it, and handing your logbook, NIC or revenue licence documents to an unverified tout is asking to lose both your money and your papers. The other side: the official system is still slow and understaffed, so a known, reliable local agent who understands the process can save you a full day of leave, even if it costs a few thousand rupees in "service charges." Have you used a broker for a transfer, licence renewal or fitness certificate — did it actually save you time, or did it just cost extra for nothing? ඔබ RMV/DMT කටයුතු සඳහා බ්‍රෝකර්වරයෙකු පාවිච්චි කළාද? එය වටිනවද?