How to Get Your Tourist Driving Permit in Sri Lanka

A Complete Guide to Hitting the Open Road

You've been dreaming of your Sri Lankan getaway for months now, picturing yourself stepping off the plane and straight onto a sun-drenched beach, sipping fresh thambili water with a warm breeze in your hair. Your main concern, you had decided, was what local cuisine to try for lunch. 

Instead, you find yourself in a jam-packed bus, sandwiched between locals and fellow travellers alike. The sharp aroma of the durian fruit carried by your neighbour assaults your nose, making you choose to forego your meal instead. Holding on for dear life as your bus driver carries out his audition for the role of Ferrari’s next Formula 1 driver, you decide that maybe perhaps public transport may not be the best choice for you. No, what you need is the freedom of the open road, the ability to explore this beautiful island at your own pace—driving yourself. But, as a tourist in Sri Lanka, where do you even start with a driving permit?

Applying for Your Tourist Driving Permit in Sri Lanka

In many countries, an international license is all you need to drive as a tourist. Not so in Sri Lanka. Here, an international license alone won’t cut it, which may catch a lot of people off guard. So, does that mean you should skip renting a vehicle, or just take your chances and hope to avoid a run-in with the police?

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. If you’re planning to drive in Sri Lanka, you’ll simply need to get yourself a tourist driving permit. So what exactly is the difference between these two?

International Driving Permit (IDP)	Temporary/Tourist Driving License
The permit you obtain from your home country, often through an organisation like the Automobile Association (Eg:Automobile Association of Spain). This document translates your national driver’s license into several languages and allows you to drive in foreign countries that recognize the IDP.	A driving permit issued by Sri Lankan authorities that allows foreign license holders to drive legally in Sri Lanka for a limited period (usually up to 90 days or more). This is the type of license you’ll apply for when using the services of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) or the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC).

Having a tourist driving permit allows foreigners to drive on Sri Lankan roads and is a legal requirement to ensure safety and compliance with local traffic regulations. Here’s everything you need to know about getting one;

Prepare Your Documents

Before getting where to get your permit from, you’ll need to have some general documentation in hand:

• Your valid driving license from your home country
• Passport with a valid tourist visa
• Passport-sized photos (at least two, just in case)
• International Driving Permit (IDP) – though this is not mandatory, having one can streamline the process

Having everything prepared and organized in advance will make the entire experience much smoother, saving you valuable time.

Where to Apply

Quite conveniently, Sri Lanka has a couple of options available depending on your location and time frame.

What is the step-by-step process to obtain a temporary driving permit at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT)?

• Step 1: Arrive at the DMT: Head to the building marked "H" for the Driving License Unit.
• Step 2: Photo and Form: Proceed to Counter 1 to have your photo taken and sign a form.
• Step 3: Document Verification: Visit Counters 15-20 for document verification.
• Step 4: Payment: Pay the LKR 1000 fee at the designated counter.
• Step 5: Final Check and Permit Collection: After the final check, collect your 30-day temporary driving permit.

Remember: Be prepared with all required documents and arrive early to avoid long queues.

What is the step-by-step process to obtain a Temporary Driving Permit through the

Automobile Association (AA) office?

• Step 1: Visit the AA Office: Once there, head to the 3rd floor and find the General Office of the Automobile Association.
• Step 2: Application Form: Collect the application form from the office and complete it.
• Step 3: Submit Documents: Hand over the relevant documents mentioned previously to the registrar at the AA office.
• Step 4: Payment: Make the required payment at the office to process your application.
• Step 5: Collect the Permit: Once the processing is complete, collect your temporary driving permit from the AA office.

To sum it all up, obtaining a tourist driving permit in Sri Lanka is much simpler than it may initially seem. With options suited to a variety of needs, you can secure a permit directly from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) for an official and cost-effective route, the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) if you need your driving permit a little faster, or through private vendors like Rento who offer a no-hassle experience and flexible delivery, ideal for travellers on a tight schedule.

No matter which option you choose, with your permit in hand, you’re finally free to delve into that idyllic vacation you’ve dreamt of. Explore Sri Lanka on your own terms—winding through lush tea plantations, cruising along sun-drenched coastlines, or discovering hidden secrets of the misty hill country. Driving in Sri Lanka ensures you’re not just a tourist, but an adventurer, experiencing the sights, sounds, and surprises that only come from the freedom of the open road. So, take the wheel, embrace the journey, and enjoy every unforgettable mile.