(Updated in September 2025)
If you have just landed in Sri Lanka and want to go on a road trip, or you’re busy planning the ultimate tuktuk adventure, and you’re wondering about licensing requirements, we have got all the information you need!
Getting a driving license (known as a Recognition Permit) in Sri Lanka is relatively easy. Below, we will outline all the steps required to obtain a local Recognition Permit for driving in Sri Lanka. When you rent with us at tuktukrental.com, we handle most of the paperwork before you arrive in the country. Simply send us your documents digitally, and your Sri Lankan driving permit will be ready and waiting for you upon arrival in the country.
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka?
Yes, the Automobile Association of Ceylon requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) to process your Sri Lankan Recognition Permit.
It is highly recommended that you obtain your physical IDP (which can be applied with (A) or (B) endorsement) from your home country before traveling to Sri Lanka. Here’s more information on how to do that: https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/.
Unable to obtain an IDP in your home country?
If you are having trouble obtaining your IDP from your home country before leaving, there are several online providers you can apply to for an IDP:
- InstantEDP (Use code ‘TukTukRide’ and get 50% off)
- International Travel Permits (Use code ‘TukTukExpress’ for a discounted delivery)
- IDL GAA
While you might also find other providers in the market, remember, it is the responsibility of the renter to ensure the validity of the IDP and to submit it in advance for us to arrange your Recognition Permit (we need at least one business day to arrange your permit after you submit the IDP). You MUST have a physical copy of your IDP in hand when you begin your rental with us.
How do we help you with the process?
Once you’ve obtained your IDP, you can simply submit it here – https://tuktukrental.com/licence-form-select/, and we’ll arrange your Recognition Permit for you to start your tuktuk adventure upon arrival.
Click here to book your tuktuk now!
13 Comments
by Hardy
Hello, is there an maximum age restriction for applying for a Sri Lankan License, or the rental of a TukTuk?
by Raveen Liyanage
Greetings! As long as you have a valid National(your country) licence or International lincence you can apply for the Sri Lankan recognition driving permit. Cheers, Raveen
by Wietse Sennema
Not at all! As long as you have a valid car licence, we can get you permit to drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka. We’ve had people in their 70s drive tuktuks with us at tuktukrental.com (and even join the Tuktuk Tournament!).
by Jason Warland
The reason that you are required to endorse your IDP at Automobile Association of Ceylon is only because they want to take US$25 from you. That’s the only reason. They just look at your IDP and give you a piece of paper. That’s it. I’ve driven in many countries with my IDP without having to get it endorsed. What’s so different about Sri Lanka?? They have some of the worse drivers in the world with very high accident rate. Sri Lanka should learn to take money from foreigners in a more meaningful and productive ways rather than coming up with lazy ideas to take the hard-earned money. This is very disappointing.
by Wietse Sennema
It also means the insurance covers your accidents without the rental agency lying about who drove. If a tourist drives a tuktuk (or any other vehicle in Sri Lanka, for that matter) and gets into an accident, the insurance will pay zero without a valid Sri Lankan permit.
I understand your point, though. It does not make sense as Sri Lanka is a signatory to the treaty. We have had many discussions with the Automobile Association of Ceylon and the Department of Motor Traffic – this is just how it is now.
by Raj
How long the SriLankan license valid from AAC after obtaining the IDP
by Wietse Sennema
When you get it with an IDP, the Sri Lankan Permit is valid as long as the IDP is valid and maximum one year.
by Rajendran (Raj) Karthigeyan
Once I get the IDP from (AAA) Which is valid for one year and then I need to get the SriLankan license from AAC. How long the SriLankan license is valid?
by Wietse Sennema
When you get it with an IDP, the Sri Lankan Permit is valid as long as the IDP is valid and maximum one year.
by Toto
Hi guys,
same for renting a Tuk-Tuk in India with a french driving license ans no international driver license?
Thanks.
by Wietse Sennema
Hey Toto, for India you need to have an International Drivers Licence!
by Rantoanison
hi
we are currenlty in India (Bengaluru) and schedule to go in Sri lanka this Thursday.
we are hopping to rent a tuk tuk or car but we don’t have our internatial driver licence.
we have french driver licence
is there any possibility from here to obtain it for this Thursday ?
by Wietse Sennema
Hey there! Yes, no worries. We can get you a Sri Lankan Recognition Permit with your normal country licence as well 🙂 Just make a booking through our website https://tuktukrental.com/ – you will receive the licence form in the confirmation email, just upload the documents and everything is ready on arrival!