Driving in Sri Lanka: where and how to get a driving permit
If you're looking for up-to-date information to plan your trip to Sri Lanka, you've come to the right place.
I am Alice, a tropical entrepreneur in love with Asia and my story can be found here.
I have been living in Sri Lanka since 2021 when, with Stefano, I dropped everything to leave in search of my island. Today, finally, I can say that I have found it. I live in Ahangama, a small village on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, with monkeys in the garden and peacocks flying over the rooftops. That's right: peacocks really do fly high--to the top of the very tall palm trees, where they go to spend the night. Did you not know that? Neither did I, and I hope this is just the first of the interesting things you'll find as you browse these pages.
How to drive in Sri Lanka
Remember all the rules for passing the intersection precedence quizzes you took in driver's school? Here...forget them! In Sri Lanka there is no such thing as precedence, or at least, after three years here I don't think I've ever witnessed a situation where these rules were followed.
In Sri Lanka there is a rule of the greatest. So the first ones are the buses, doing whatever they like, not respecting any speed limit and overtaking anyone on the wrong side of the road in the opposite lane. There are no rules about overtaking, everybody overtakes everybody, sometimes you see a tuk tuk overtaking another tuk tuk that is in turn overtaking a moped. Then there are the dogs, perhaps the only ones who have the right of way over everything and everyone.
Very well. That said, driving in Sri Lanka is not an experience I recommend to everyone. But if you have a cool head, have driven in other countries with reverse driving before, and renting a car in Sri Lanka is your lifelong dream... why not!!!
In 2021, Stefano and I rented a 1990s Mitsubishi Jeep. We drove it far and wide from Trincomalee to Jaffna, from Mannar to Kalpitya, Ella, Kandy, and then the whole south coast. We liked it so much that we then bought a similar one that is now the official vehicle of Casa Tikiri.
Driving in Sri Lanka is as in England, that is, left-hand drive with overtaking on the right, with the driver's seat on the right side of the car. The use of helmets and seat belts is compulsory, and the maximum allowable blood alcohol level is 0.05%.
International driver's license is not enough
In order to drive, it is necessary to obtain a permit called a Driving Permit. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka is one of the few countries that requires a Sri Lankan permit before you can drive. This means that driving here with an international driving permit or a foreign license is illegal.
How to get it?
In Sri Lanka there are two authorities that issue this license: the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) and the Department of Motor Traffic.
The choice depends on what kind of license you have:
if you have an international driver's license issued in your home country you need to apply for it at the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) in Colombo.
Address:: 40, Sir Mohamed Macan Markar Mawatha, P.O.Box 338, Colombo 03.
Phone: +94 11 2421528
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Price: 8000 LKR
What to bring: passport, international driver's license and a passport photo.
if you have a driver's license issued by your home country, you must apply for a provisional permit from the Department of Motor Traffic in Colombo.
Address:: Department of Motor Traffic (RMV) Werahera Branch,Horana Road, Boralesgamuwa.
Phone: +94 112 518 926 / +94 112 518 950
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Price: 1000 LKR per month
What to bring: original and one photocopy of passport, original and one photocopy of visa, original and photocopy of driver's license, two passport photos.
If you do not want to or cannot personally go to Colombo offices to obtain a driving permit there are agencies that offer the service for a fee. Usually those who offer car rental or tuk tuk services also provide the driving permit.
Only to drive mopeds below 49cc is a driver's permit not required... This is because a license is not even required for this displacement in Sri Lanka and these vehicles do not have license plates. But this type of displacement is almost never made available for rental to foreigners.
Despite the fact that a driving permit in Sri Lanka is compulsory many tourists (not to say all) get behind the wheel of a vehicle, especially two-wheelers. I feel it is only fair to mention, however, that in the event of an accident your insurance company may not pay the cost of medical expenses because you were driving a vehicle that you could not actually drive.
In this regard I would like to remind you. Chapka offersa 10% discount for our guests and readers on CAP ASSISTANCE policy: use code CASATIKIRI10 at checkout to get the discount.
A "fake" news: as of April 15, 2024, foreigners can get a driver's license at the airport.
Although Transportation Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna made it official that foreigners would have the convenience of applying directly at the airport starting April 15, 2024 at this time it is still not practically possible. Theoretically upon exiting the airport, tourists will be able to obtain their driving permits quickly by paying different fees depending on the validity period of the license. It is expected to be $25 for a one-month driver's license, $50 for three months, $75 for six months, and $200 for a year or more.
For now, there is no certainty and it seems that the airport has no clue as to when this system will actually be activated.
If there are any updates you will surely find them written here.
