Driving Permit for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention — but unlike most destinations, the IDP alone does not let you drive. Foreign visitors must also obtain a Sri Lankan 'recognition permit' (a local endorsement of the IDP) or a temporary Sri Lankan driving licence before getting behind the wheel. UK government guidance is explicit: take your home licence, your 1949 IDP and two passport photos to the Automobile Association of Ceylon in Colombo. Canadian government guidance adds that the document can also be issued at a permit counter at the airport or by the Department of Motor Traffic, which can accept a home licence with a certified English translation.

At the rental desk this rule has real teeth. Reputable car and tuk-tuk hire companies expect the local endorsement and will often help arrange it; driving without it risks trouble at the police checkpoints found on main roads and can undermine your insurance after an accident. Book with firms registered with the Sri Lankan tourism authorities, confirm the vehicle is insured and roadworthy before setting off, and carry your passport, licence, IDP and permit whenever you drive.

Traffic drives on the left, a British-era legacy. Driving is famously hectic — buses overtake aggressively, tuk-tuks weave through gaps, and stray dogs, cattle and pedestrians share the carriageway — and accidents are common, especially at night. Roads outside the main cities are often narrow and poorly surfaced, which is why many travellers hire a car with a driver rather than self-driving. The minimum driving age is 18, and rental companies generally apply their own stricter age and experience requirements.