Foreign visitors need a Sri Lankan driving permit to drive legally in Sri Lanka. Your home licence or International Driving Permit (IDP) alone is not enough. There are three ways to get a tourist driving license in Sri Lanka: on arrival at the airport, pre-arranged before your trip, or in person at a government office in Colombo.
This guide covers all three, what each costs, and the extra step tuk tuk drivers need.
Why You Need a Sri Lankan Driving Permit
- Sri Lankan law requires every foreign driver to hold a local driving permit, whatever vehicle you drive. The permit is a legal requirement, not a tourist trap.
- Driving without one risks fines and, more importantly, voids your insurance. If you have an accident without a valid permit, you carry the full cost.
- With a valid permit you are covered by insurance, compliant with traffic law, and able to rent from any reputable company.
Get the Permit at the Airport on Arrival
Since August 2025, you can get a temporary driving permit at Bandaranaike International Airport immediately after landing.
What the airport permit covers:
- Scooters, motorbikes, and cars
- Not valid for tuk tuks or heavy vehicles
- Duration: up to 5 months
- Fee: LKR 15,000 for one month, LKR 21,000 for two months
What you need:
- A valid foreign driving licence, held for at least 1 year
- A certified English translation if your licence is not in English (this applies in particular to Chinese and Japanese licences)
- Passport and visa or entry permit
The process at the counter:
- After clearing customs, find the driving permit counter in the arrival hall
- Present your licence, IDP, and passport
- Complete the application form
- Pay the fee
- Receive your temporary permit on the spot
The airport route is the fastest option if you are renting a scooter, motorbike, or car. If you plan to drive a tuk tuk, skip ahead to the three-wheeler endorsement section, because the airport counter does not issue it.
Eligible Countries for the Sri Lanka Tourist Driving Permit
🌍 Europe 42 Countries
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Austria | Belarus | Belgium |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
| France | Germany | Greece | Hungary |
| Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Macedonia |
| Malta | Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro |
| Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia |
| Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
| Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Vatican City |
🌏 Asia 35 Countries
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain |
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | Brunei | Cambodia |
| Georgia | Hong Kong | India | Indonesia |
| Iran | Iraq | Israel | Japan |
| Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan |
| Laos | Lebanon | Malaysia | Maldives |
| Mongolia | Myanmar | Nepal | Oman |
| Pakistan | Philippines | Qatar | Saudi Arabia |
| Singapore | South Korea | Taiwan | Tajikistan |
| Thailand | Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan | Vietnam |
🌍 Africa 28 Countries
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Benin | Botswana | Burkina Faso |
| Cape Verde | Congo | Egypt | Ethiopia |
| Ghana | Kenya | Lesotho | Liberia |
| Madagascar | Malawi | Mali | Morocco |
| Namibia | Niger | Nigeria | Rwanda |
| Senegal | Seychelles | Sierra Leone | South Africa |
| Togo | Tunisia | Uganda | Zimbabwe |
🌎 Americas 19 Countries
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Bahamas | Barbados | Brazil |
| Canada | Chile | Costa Rica | Cuba |
| Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Guatemala | Guyana |
| Haiti | Honduras | Jamaica | Mexico |
| Peru | Trinidad & Tobago | United States | Uruguay |
| Venezuela |
🌊 Oceania 4 Countries
| Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Fiji | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea |
Three Ways to Get Your Tourist Driving Licence in Sri Lanka
Option 1: At the Airport (fastest)
Best for first-time visitors renting a scooter, motorbike, or car. Details in the airport section above. Instant, but no tuk tuk endorsement.
Option 2: Pre-Arranged Before You Arrive (most convenient)
Best for travellers who want everything organised before landing, and the only practical route for tuk tuk drivers.
NOHA TUK TUK arranges the permit for every rental before arrival, including the three-wheeler endorsement. You apply online, and the permit is ready at your pick-up point.
- Process: apply online before your trip
- Cost: USD 45
- Timeframe: ready before you land
- Includes: three-wheeler endorsement on request
Documents needed:
- Scanned copy of your International Driving Permit
- Scanned copy of your passport bio page
- Digital passport-sized photograph
- Permanent Address of home country
Option 3: In Person at a Government Office (traditional)
Best for budget travellers with flexible schedules and time in Colombo.
Department of Motor Traffic (DMT)
- Address: No. 341, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05
- Google Maps Location
- Cost: LKR 15,000 (plus additional charges for photos/copies)
Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC)
- Address: 40, Sir Mohamed Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 03
- Google Maps Location
- Cost: $32 USD (plus additional charges)
Bring your original IDP, passport, and passport photos. Offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and processing takes 3 to 4 hours.
Sri Lanka Driving Permit Fees 2026
| Method | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Airport service (1 month) | LKR 15,000 |
| Airport service (2 months) | LKR 21,000 |
| Pre-Arranged Online | USD 45 |
| DMT Office | LKR 15,000 |
| AAC Office | USD 32 |
Tuk Tuk Permits: The Three-Wheeler Endorsement
A standard tourist permit does not cover tuk tuks. You need an additional three-wheeler endorsement on the permit.
The endorsement adds one line to your permit and costs you no extra effort when it is arranged in advance. The tuk tuk itself will demand more of you than the paperwork does.
Where to get the endorsement:
- Pre-arranged services: included when requested, sorted before you arrive
- AAC office in Colombo: reliable in-person option
- Airport counter: does not issue three-wheeler endorsements
If you plan to rent a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka, confirm the endorsement is included before you book. Every NOHA rental includes the permit with endorsement, arranged before arrival. The driving laws for tuk tuks in Sri Lanka explain what the endorsement legally covers.
Requirements: a standard tourist permit, the three-wheeler endorsement, and a minimum age of 18. The endorsement is valid for the same period as the permit.
Is an International Driving Permit Enough?
No. An IDP is a prerequisite, not a substitute. You need both: a valid IDP from your home country and the Sri Lankan tourist permit issued on top of it.
Your IDP must be:
- Issued by your home country’s authorised automobile association
- The 1968 convention version
- Valid and unexpired
Rules change, so check the Department of Motor Traffic for the current official position before you travel.
Permit Requirements by Vehicle Type
Car: standard tourist permit with category B, minimum age 18. Available at the airport.
Scooter or motorbike: tourist permit with two-wheeler endorsement, plus a valid motorcycle licence from your home country, minimum age 18. Available at the airport. The same permit covers you if you rent a scooter in Sri Lanka.
Tuk tuk: tourist permit with three-wheeler endorsement, minimum age 18. Not available at the airport; use a pre-arranged service or the AAC office.
Validity and Extensions
The standard permit runs 30 days from issue. Extensions of up to 120 additional days are handled at the DMT office in Colombo; the AAC can issue permits valid up to one year.
To extend, bring your original permit and passport to the DMT. Processing is same-day.
Standard Validity Period:
- Initial Period: 30 days from issue date
- Extension Options: Additional 120 days (contact DMT)
- Maximum Duration: Usually up to one year (AAC)
Extension Process:
- Visit DMT office in Colombo
- Present original tourist license and passport
- Pay extension fee (approximately $10-20)
- Processing time: Same day
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Sri Lanka with an Indian licence?
No. You still need the Sri Lankan tourist permit, even with an Indian licence and IDP. The process may be faster for SAARC country residents, but it is not waived.
How long does the permit take?
The airport counter issues it on the spot. Pre-arranged permits are ready before you arrive; allow 2 to 3 working days for processing after you apply. Office visits in Colombo take 3 to 4 hours.
What happens if I drive without a permit?
You risk fines and legal complications, and your insurance is void. In an accident, you carry the full cost yourself.
Can I rent a tuk tuk without the three-wheeler endorsement?
No reputable company will hand you a tuk tuk without it. NOHA includes the endorsement with every tuk tuk rental, arranged before you arrive.
Does the airport permit cover tuk tuks?
No. The airport permit covers scooters, motorbikes, and cars only. For a tuk tuk you need the endorsement through a pre-arranged service or the AAC office.
The permit is the one piece of paperwork standing between you and the road. Arranged in advance, it takes none of your holiday time.
NOHA TUK TUK includes the permit, with the three-wheeler endorsement where needed, in every rental.
