Travel Guide · Getting around

Can tourists drive in Sri Lanka? Licence and tuk-tuk rules

Yes, visitors can drive a car in Sri Lanka, but not with a foreign licence alone. You need a temporary Sri Lankan licence, and tuk-tuks are treated differently. Here is how it works, and what to think about before you decide.

Information checked against published reports on 9 November 2026. It is general guidance, not legal advice.

Do I need a Sri Lankan licence to drive a car?

Yes. A licence from your home country, or an International Driving Permit on its own, does not entitle you to drive in Sri Lanka. Visitors need a temporary driving licence issued by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

How to get a temporary licence

When the DMT opened a counter at Bandaranaike International Airport in August 2025, it reported that foreign visitors could apply there, as well as at its office in Werahera. Reports of the requirements at that time included:

• A valid, full driving licence from your home country. Learner, probationary and provisional licences are not accepted.
• A certified English translation if your licence is not in English.
• A valid passport and visa.
• A home licence that stays valid for at least a year from the date you apply.

The licence covers light vehicles and motorcycles. Any restriction on your home licence, such as automatic transmission only or corrective lenses, carries over.

How much does it cost?

Fees have risen. A government notice reported in November 2025 set the fee for a foreign national’s temporary licence at Rs. 15,000 for up to one month, Rs. 21,000 for more than one month and up to two months, Rs. 30,000 for up to six months and Rs. 45,000 for up to twelve months. Older guides that quote Rs. 2,000 are out of date. Always confirm the current fee with the DMT.

Can tourists drive a tuk-tuk?

This is where visitors most often run into trouble. The DMT has said that the airport licence does not cover three-wheelers, and that an international driving permit alone does not entitle a foreigner to drive one. Police have also been told to act against foreigners driving tuk-tuks without a valid licence, and against owners who rent to them. Some rental websites describe easier routes, but these are commercial claims, so check with the DMT before relying on them. If you only want to travel by tuk-tuk for fun, a local driver is the simple way to do it.

Should you drive at all?

Even with the right licence, driving in Sri Lanka is not for everyone. Roads are busy and often winding, traffic keeps to the left, and journeys between places like Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella take longer than the map suggests. You also have to handle parking, fuel and navigation, and arranging cover if something goes wrong.

Many visitors find a private driver easier. You skip the licence paperwork, can look out of the window instead of at the road, and have someone who knows the routes. Our daily rates are on the prices page, with fuel, tolls, parking and the driver’s meals and accommodation included. See our checklist for choosing a private driver and our guide on whether it is safe to hire one. Airport pick-up is explained on our airport transfer page.

Common questions

Can tourists drive in Sri Lanka?

Yes, with a temporary Sri Lankan driving licence from the Department of Motor Traffic. A foreign licence or an international permit alone is not enough.

Can I get a temporary licence at the airport?

The DMT opened a counter at Bandaranaike International Airport in August 2025 for this. Check the current arrangements with the DMT before you travel.

Can tourists drive a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka?

The airport temporary licence does not cover three-wheelers, and the DMT has said it is not issuing licences to foreign nationals to drive them for now unless their existing licence already covers that category. Police have been told to act against unlicensed foreign drivers of tuk-tuks.

Is it easier to hire a driver?

For most visitors, yes. A private driver means no licence paperwork and no navigating busy roads. See our daily rates.

Sources

• Daily FT: DMT launches temporary driving licences for tourists at BIA (4 August 2025)
• Ada Derana: Govt. revises fee levied to issue driving licences to foreign nationals (20 November 2025)
• The Morning: DMT on three-wheeler licences for foreign nationals (21 November 2025)