All You Need to Know About Driving in Sri Lanka

Yes, tourists with a valid Driving License (endorsed by the AA or Sri Lanka) or an International Driving Permit / License or a Temporary Driving License issued by the Department of Motor Traffic of Sri Lanka are allowed to drive in Sri Lanka. Find out more on how to obtain a valid driving permit in Sri Lanka for foreigners.

To get a tourist driving license in Sri Lanka you have the following options:

• Option 1: Valid International Driving Permit – Depending on your IDP, you may or may not need an additional endorsement by the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka (AA)
• Option 2: Valid Driving License from your Country – Additionally you will need this endorsed by the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka (AA)
• Option 3: Temporary Driving License for Foreign Nationals – Issued by the Department of Motor Traffic of Sri Lanka

Find out more on how to obtain a valid driving permit in Sri Lanka.

To get a temporary driving license as a foreign national, you will have to visit the Department of Motor Traffic in Sri Lanka with your Foreign Drivers License, Passport & Visa.

Find out more on ohow to obtain a temporary driving license in Sri Lanka for foreigners.

As a tourist, if you have a valid permit to drive in Sri Lanka you will face no issues. The minimum age limit to acquire a driving license in Sri Lanka for locals is 18 years of age. Currently there is no upper age limit in place for driving in Sri Lanka.

If you are a foreign national / tourist hoping to get your foreign drivers license endorsed by the Automobile Association (AA) office in Colombo to drive in Sri Lanka, it may cost you between Rs. 7,000 ~ Rs. 8,000. However, as these fees are subject to change, we advise you to check with the relevant authority or your rental car company, as they could apply on your behalf.

Automobile Association of Ceylon, is the issuer of International Driving Permits as well as endorse existing Foreign Driving Licenses and IDP’s allowing tourists to drive in Sri Lanka. The AA office in Colombo which is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. More information on the AA Website. You can locate the AA on Google Maps.

Absolutely! Self-driving is a fantastic option when travelling in Sri Lanka. Not only will this give you freedom to explore on your own, it will also be the cheaper option when renting a vehicle. As long as you have necessary driving permits and you choose a reputable car rental company you will be assured of smooth travels.

Yes & No. Whilst the Colombo & certain suburbs may get congested during morning rush hour and school time traffic, it is not as congested as many European and South Asian cities. Driving in Sri Lanka is really not that hard, and driving outside the capital to many tourist destinations can in fact be delightful with open roads, highways and beautiful scenery.

Yes, self-driving in Sri Lanka is easier than you may think. With some research and preparation you are good to go. If you are planning on renting a car (this will be the cheaper option compared to chauffeur drive option) from a reliable Rent-A-Car service you will receive all the assistance you need in this regard.

Yes, it’s as safe as anywhere else to drive at night, especially in urban areas you’ll find well-lit roads and street signs. In some rural areas you may find inadequate lighting but if you plan your travel route factoring this in you will not have any problems. You may find animals like Elephants crossing the road at night if you are close to national parks.

General road rules and regulations apply to driving in Sri Lanka, although you’ll find that some locals choose to ignore these rules. These are some common rules that you will be required to adhere to;

• Driving Side: In Sri Lanka, you drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Seat Belts: Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants in the vehicle, both in the front and back seats.
• Speed Limits: Speed limits are posted on road signs and can vary depending on the type of road and the area. In urban areas, the speed limit is typically around 40-50 km/h (25-31 mph). On highways, the limit might be higher.
• Alcohol Limit: The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in Sri Lanka is typically 0.08{c936fc21b787601ef18bc16d503e84c113d8819d6944b65f1aff51216cd21cf1}, but it’s best to avoid any alcohol if you’re driving.
• Mobile Phones: Using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free system is illegal.
• Traffic Signals and Signs: Adhere to traffic signals and road signs. Ignoring these can result in fines.

Sri Lankan vehicles are Right-Hand drives (The steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle) and you will drive on the Left-Hand side of the road. While the idea of switching sides may seem confusing, plenty of tourists manage this with ease.

Yes, Sri Lankan vehicles are Right-Hand drives (The steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle) and you will drive on the Left-Hand side of the road. While the idea of switching sides may seem confusing, plenty of tourists manage this with ease.

Sri Lankan vehicles are Right-Hand drives (The steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle) and you will drive on the Left-Hand side of the road. While the idea of switching sides may seem confusing, plenty of tourists manage this with ease.

The speed limit in Sri Lanka is 40km/h in the city and urban areas for motorcycles and heavy vehicles and 60km/h for cars and light vehicles. Outside of the city, the limit is 40km/h for motorbikes, 60km/h for motor coaches and heavy vehicles, and 70km/h for cars and light vehicles. On the Expressways, the speed limit is 100km/h. Motorcycles are not allowed on the expressway.

On the Expressways, the speed limit is 100km/h. Motorcycles are not allowed on the expressway. If you are driving in Sri Lanka you’ll find that taking highways are worth the tolls for speed as well as beautiful scenery.

• Driving without a valid license : LKR 25,000
• Driving under the influence of alcohol / narcotics : LKR 25,000
• Driving over the speed limit (speeding) : LKR 2,000 ~ LKR 25,000 (depending on the speed)
• Breaking road rules : LKR 2,000 ~ LKR 25,000

The fine for speeding in Sri Lanka may range between LKR 2,000 to LKR 25,000 depending on the speed.

The fine for driving without a valid license / permit is LKR 25,000.

The fine for riding a motorcycle without a helmet may vary.