Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Not for the DMT permit — you can get a temporary Sri Lankan permit at the airport using your home country's licence, no IDP required. If you already have an IDP, the AAC permit is usually the better choice: it costs less and lasts six months instead of one.

How much does the permit cost?

It depends which one. The DMT permit starts at LKR 15,000 for one month, rising to LKR 45,000 for six to twelve months. The AAC permit is USD 45 with a vehicle booking (USD 39 self-service, USD 55 permit only) and lasts six months. We handle the application for either.

Does a 49cc or 50cc scooter need a licence in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Sri Lanka has no small-engine exemption — any powered two-wheeler on a public road needs a valid licence for that class plus the local AAC or DMT permit, whatever the engine size. Some countries let you ride a 49–50cc moped on a car licence; that rule does not carry over here. NOHA's scooters are 125cc in any case, and the same paperwork covers them.

What if my licence isn't in English?

For the DMT permit, your home licence needs to be in English or accompanied by an English translation. The AAC permit requires an International Driving Permit instead, which is already in a standard multilingual format.

What happens if the scooter breaks down?

Message us on WhatsApp. Support and roadside assistance run 365 days a year, and we'll help you get back on the road.

Can I take the scooter anywhere in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Every rental includes unlimited kilometres, so you can ride wherever your route takes you.

What's the deposit, and when do I get it back?

USD 100, refundable. It's taken when you collect the scooter and returned within two weeks of the rental ending. Card deposits are charged rather than held — paying in cash avoids the double currency conversion some EUR or GBP cards see on refund.

Home/Guides/Scooter Rental Requirements

Scooter Rental Requirements in Sri Lanka

Licence, permit, deposit, and insurance — everything you need before you collect a scooter from NOHA.

A NOHA-branded TVS scooter with Sri Lankan plates, and the two helmets handed over with every rental

Your driving permit

You need a Sri Lankan driving permit to ride a scooter here legally, on top of your home licence. Two separate issuers offer one, and they differ in fee, validity, and what they need from you.

AAC permit	Fee
Self-service at the AAC office, Colombo	USD 39
With a NOHA vehicle booking	USD 45
Application only, through NOHA	USD 55

Valid 6 months. Requires an International Driving Permit from your home country, plus your home licence.

DMT permit	Fee
1 month	LKR 15,000
1–2 months	LKR 21,000
2–6 months	LKR 30,000
6–12 months	LKR 45,000

Issued at Bandaranaike International Airport (arrivals, after customs, open 24 hours), Werahera, and Narahenpita. Requires your home licence in English, or an English translation. No IDP needed.

If you have an International Driving Permit, the AAC permit is the better choice. It costs less, lasts six months instead of one, and covers every vehicle including tuk tuks. If you arrived without an IDP, use the DMT counter at the airport. It is open 24 hours and you can collect it on the way out.

We help you apply for either — see the full permit guide for documents needed and a step-by-step walkthrough, or use the permit checker to see which one applies to you.

Riding experience

You need to already know how to ride a scooter — a scooter licence or equivalent riding experience at home. The driving introduction lesson included with every rental covers Sri Lankan roads and habits, not the basics of riding.

Insurance

Full insurance coverage is included with every scooter rental, at no extra charge.

Security deposit

The deposit is refundable and taken on collection. Pay by cash, card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or a payment link we send on WhatsApp, in USD, EUR, GBP, or LKR. Card deposits are charged rather than held, and refunded within two weeks of your rental ending.

If your card is issued in EUR or GBP, your bank converts twice and the refund can come back slightly under what you paid. Paying the deposit in cash avoids this.

Helmets

Two helmets come with every scooter. Both rider and passenger need to wear one — it's not optional.

What's included

Full insurance coverage
Driving introduction lesson
Unlimited kilometres
Two helmets
Full tool kit
Phone holder
First aid kit
365-day WhatsApp support and roadside assistance
Tour plan assistance

Not included: the driving permit and the refundable deposit, both covered above.

More on riding here day to day — overtaking, road habits, when a tuk tuk makes more sense — in the scooter travel tips guide.

What customers say

Leigh Sager

Two scooters, four months

“When one side stand got a little loose, NOHA coordinated a mechanic to fix it for us in 5 min. We had our scooters delivered and collected right from our door.”

Questions people ask

Do I need an International Driving Permit?: Not for the DMT permit — you can get a temporary Sri Lankan permit at the airport using your home country's licence, no IDP required. If you already have an IDP, the AAC permit is usually the better choice: it costs less and lasts six months instead of one.
How much does the permit cost?: It depends which one. The DMT permit starts at LKR 15,000 for one month, rising to LKR 45,000 for six to twelve months. The AAC permit is USD 45 with a vehicle booking (USD 39 self-service, USD 55 permit only) and lasts six months. We handle the application for either.
Can I rent a scooter without riding experience?: You need to already know how to ride one — a scooter licence or equivalent riding experience at home. The driving introduction lesson included with every rental covers Sri Lankan roads and habits, not the basics of riding.
Does a 49cc or 50cc scooter need a licence in Sri Lanka?: Yes. Sri Lanka has no small-engine exemption — any powered two-wheeler on a public road needs a valid licence for that class plus the local AAC or DMT permit, whatever the engine size. Some countries let you ride a 49–50cc moped on a car licence; that rule does not carry over here. NOHA's scooters are 125cc in any case, and the same paperwork covers them.
What if my licence isn't in English?: For the DMT permit, your home licence needs to be in English or accompanied by an English translation. The AAC permit requires an International Driving Permit instead, which is already in a standard multilingual format.
Is insurance included in the rental price?: Yes. Full insurance coverage is included with every scooter rental, at no extra charge.
What happens if the scooter breaks down?: Message us on WhatsApp. Support and roadside assistance run 365 days a year, and we'll help you get back on the road.
Can I take the scooter anywhere in Sri Lanka?: Yes. Every rental includes unlimited kilometres, so you can ride wherever your route takes you.
What's the deposit, and when do I get it back?: USD 100, refundable. It's taken when you collect the scooter and returned within two weeks of the rental ending. Card deposits are charged rather than held — paying in cash avoids the double currency conversion some EUR or GBP cards see on refund.

Ready to see scooter pricing?

From USD 8/day on long rentals, or message us with questions first.

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