Travel Guide · Hiring a driver

How to choose a private driver in Sri Lanka: a 10-question checklist

Hiring a private driver is one of the easiest ways to see Sri Lanka, but not every offer is the same. Use these questions to compare drivers and companies before you pay a deposit.

Why the choice matters

Sri Lanka is a small island, but journeys take longer than the map suggests. Roads are busy and winding, and a good tour often means long days between places like Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella. Your driver sets the pace, the safety and the mood of the whole trip, so it is worth a few minutes of checking.

The 10 questions to ask before you book

1. Is the driver or company registered with the tourism authority?

Ask whether the driver or company is registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and ask for the registration details. You can then check them with the authority. A genuine operator will not mind being asked.

2. Who exactly will be driving me?

Ask for the name of the driver, and whether the same person drives for the whole trip. Some operators sell the tour and then pass it to someone you never spoke to. If you prefer to deal with the person behind the wheel, say so, and ask how you will reach them during the trip.

3. Is the tour truly private?

Private should mean your own vehicle for your group only, not a shared van. Ask whether the vehicle is air-conditioned and whether there is enough room for your luggage as well as your group.

4. Does the driver speak good English?

A driver who understands you makes every day easier, from changing plans to asking about a temple. Ask whether the driver also acts as a guide, or only drives.

5. What exactly does the price include?

Ask for a written list. The usual points to confirm are fuel, highway tolls, parking, the driver’s meals and accommodation, airport pick-up and drop-off, and entrance tickets. Prices that look much cheaper than the rest often leave something out.

6. How and when do I pay?

Ask how much is due as a deposit, when the balance is due and how you can pay. Be careful with any request to pay the full amount to a personal account before you have checked who you are dealing with.

7. Can I change the plan once the trip starts?

Sri Lanka rewards flexibility. Rain, a long lunch or a place you fall in love with can change a day. Ask whether the route is fixed or whether the driver will adjust it to suit you.

8. What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what the plan is if the vehicle breaks down, and who you can call at any hour. A good operator has a clear answer and a team behind the driver.

9. What do recent travellers say?

Read recent reviews on independent sites such as Tripadvisor, not only the ones on the operator’s own website. Look for reviews from the last year or two that describe specific days and the driver by name. Read the replies too, because they show how a company handles problems.

10. How quickly and clearly do they reply?

Your first messages are a preview of the trip. A company that answers promptly, in plain language, with every question covered, is likely to look after you the same way on the road.

Red flags to watch for

• A price far below everyone else, with no list of what it includes.
• No name, no registration details and no way to reach the driver directly.
• Pressure to pay everything immediately.
• Vague answers about the vehicle, insurance or what happens in an emergency.
• Only reviews on the operator’s own page, and none on independent sites.

How we answer these questions

Driver In Sri Lanka is a family-run business started in 2000 by a tour guide and based in Gampaha. Every tour is fully private, with your own air-conditioned vehicle and a dedicated English-speaking chauffeur guide, and our team is on hand 24 hours a day during your trip. Airport pick-up and drop-off come with every tour, as explained on our airport pick-up page. Our guide on whether it is safe to hire a private driver covers licensing, vehicles and insurance.

You do not have to take our word for it. We are rated 4.7 out of 5 from 280 Tripadvisor reviews, and you can read a selection on our reviews page. To learn more about who we are, see about us, or browse our private tour packages.

Common questions

Is it better to hire a driver or rent a car in Sri Lanka?

A driver is usually easier for visitors. You do not need to handle busy roads or parking, and your driver knows the routes. You can look out of the window instead of at the road.

Should I book a driver before I arrive?

Yes, especially for December to March and July to August, when the busy season fills up. Booking ahead also lets you compare operators calmly, without the pressure of arriving and needing a ride.

Can one driver take me around the whole island?

Many travellers keep the same driver for the whole trip, which is simpler and builds a good rapport. Ask any operator whether the driver stays with you from start to finish.