To legally hire and drive a self-drive tuk tuk (three-wheeler) in Sri Lanka, foreign drivers need three documents: their home country licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP), and a Sri Lanka Recognition Permit. Sri Lanka drives on the left — the same as the UK, Australia and India. The roads are generally good; hill country routes are narrow and winding, city traffic is busy. Your 1-hour driving lesson at pickup covers all local road conditions.
Your valid driving licence from your home country. Must be current (not expired). Category B (car) or equivalent. UK, Australian, Indian, Canadian, Dutch, German, French, Belgian, and most other national licences are all accepted. Bring the original — photocopies are not accepted at the Recognition Permit office.
An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your licence, recognised in Sri Lanka under the 1949 Geneva Convention. It must include a Category B endorsement and is only issued in your home country by the national motoring association.
Which countries can drive a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka?
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
✓ Valid
AA or RAC
~£6
Instant in branch / 5 days postal
🇦🇺
Australia
✓ Valid
NRMA / RACV / RAA / RAC
~AUD $30
Instant at office
🇮🇳
India
✓ Valid
Automobile Association of India (AAI) or state AA
~₹500–800
A few days
🇨🇦
Canada
✓ Valid
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)
~CAD $25
Instant at CAA office
🇳🇱
Netherlands
✓ Valid · Internationaal rijbewijs
ANWB
~€15
1–2 days
🇩🇪
Germany
✓ Valid · Führerschein
ADAC
~€19
Instant at ADAC office
🇫🇷
France
✓ Valid · Permis conduire
Préfecture de police
Free
A few days
🇧🇪
Belgium
✓ Valid
Touring Club Royal de Belgique
~€15
1–3 days
🌍
Other countries
Most are valid
Search "[country] motoring association IDP"
Varies
Allow 1–7 days
Required by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) for all foreign drivers. This permit officially recognises your foreign licence for driving in Sri Lanka. We arrange it for you online — no AAC office visit, no queue.
After booking, we email you a link to upload a photo of your IDP. We submit the AAC application and your permit is confirmed before your pickup date. Cost: $40 per driver. Multiple drivers welcome — each needs their own permit and IDP.
Left-hand traffic
Sri Lanka drives on the left side of the road — same as the UK, Australia and India. Steering wheel is on the right in local vehicles.
Speed limits for TukTuks
General roads: 40km/h. Expressways:tuk tuks not permitted. We recommend max 40km/h in a tuk tuk. Mountain roads: 30–40km/h.
Driving at night
We strongly advise driving in daylight only. Cows, dogs and occasionally elephants use roads at night. Tuk tuk headlights have limited range.
The horn is communication
In Sri Lanka, using the horn is standard practice — not aggression. Beep before blind corners, when overtaking, and to alert pedestrians. Your driving lesson covers local road etiquette.
Can I drive in Sri Lanka with a UK licence? ▾
Yes. A UK driving licence is valid in Sri Lanka when accompanied by a valid IDP and the Sri Lanka Recognition Permit (which we arrange). Get your IDP from the AA or RAC before you fly — it costs around £6 and is available instantly in branch, or by post in 5 days.
Is an Australian driving licence valid in Sri Lanka? ▾
Yes. Australian licences are accepted. Get your IDP from your state motoring club (NRMA in NSW, RACV in Victoria, RAA in South Australia, RAC in Western Australia). Around AUD$30, usually instant at their office. We arrange the Recognition Permit after booking.
Is an Indian driving licence valid in Sri Lanka? ▾
Yes. Indian licences are accepted alongside a valid IDP. Get your IDP from the Automobile Association of India (AAI) or your state motoring association before you travel. We arrange the Recognition Permit after booking for $40.
Can I drive in Sri Lanka with a Canadian licence? ▾
Yes. Canadian licences are accepted. Get your IDP from the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) before you fly — around CAD$25, instant at most CAA offices. We arrange the Sri Lanka Recognition Permit after booking.
What is the International Driving Permit (IDP) and do I need one? ▾
The IDP is an official internationally recognised translation of your driving licence. Yes, you need one to drive in Sri Lanka. It must be obtained in your home country from your national motoring association before you travel — it cannot be obtained in Sri Lanka. Without it, we cannot legally hand over the tuk tuk.
What is the Sri Lanka Recognition Permit and what does it cost? ▾
The Recognition Permit is issued by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) and officially recognises your foreign licence for driving in Sri Lanka. We arrange it for $40 per driver — entirely online after booking, no office visit needed. Your permit is confirmed before your pickup date.
Which side of the road does Sri Lanka drive on? ▾
Sri Lanka drives on the left side of the road — the same as the UK, Australia, and India. If you're from a left-hand traffic country you'll feel immediately at home. The main adjustment is the general level of road chaos, which your driving lesson will prepare you for.
Can two people share the driving on a tuk tuk rental? ▾
Yes. Both drivers need their own home country licence, their own IDP, and their own Sri Lanka Recognition Permit ($40 each). Select the number of drivers at checkout. We arrange both permits from the same booking — just upload both IDP photos via the link we send.