Short answer: Yes. A foreign tourist may legally drive a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka when holding a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with a Sri Lankan Covering Permit issued by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) or the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).
This article clearly explains the full legal framework, drawing on Sri Lankan law, government gazettes, and international treaty obligations.
Why Is There So Much Confusion About Tuk-Tuk Legality?
Confusion arises from three main issues:
- Public statements made without reference to existing law
- Mixing up national Sri Lankan driving licence categories with International Driving Permit categories
- Misunderstanding the difference between the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention
This has led to inconsistent enforcement and incorrect claims that tourists cannot drive tuk-tuks. The law itself, however, is clear and unchanged.
The International Legal Foundation: The 1949 Geneva Convention
Sri Lanka became a Contracting Party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic in 1957. This Convention governs how countries recognise foreign driving licences and International Driving Permits.
Under this Convention, an International Driving Permit is a standardized international translation of a driver’s national licence and must be recognized by all Contracting Parties.
Vehicle Categories Under the 1949 Convention
The Convention defines the following relevant vehicle categories:
Category A: Motorcycles with or without sidecars, invalid carriages, and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an unladen weight not exceeding 400 kg.
Category B: Motor vehicles used for the transport of passengers with up to 8 seats (excluding driver), and light goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg.
Tuk-tuks (motor tricycles) clearly fall under Category A and Category B. Therefore, a tourist holding an IDP endorsed with A or B is legally entitled to operate a tuk-tuk.
This has been confirmed with us through the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
How International Law Became Sri Lankan Law: The 1958 Gazette
Sri Lanka formally incorporated the 1949 Geneva Convention into domestic law through:
Ceylon Government Gazette (Extraordinary) No. 11,603 of 28 November 1958
This Gazette:
- Grants domestic legal force to the Geneva Convention
- Designates the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) as a prescribed association
- Authorises both the AAC and the Commissioner of Motor Traffic to issue Covering Permits
- States that a foreign driver holding a valid IDP with a Covering Permit is deemed to be licensed under Sri Lankan law
This Gazette has never been repealed and remains fully valid today.
What Is a Covering Permit?
A Covering Permit is a local administrative endorsement confirming that a foreign driver’s International Driving Permit is recognised in Sri Lanka.
It does not replace the IDP, but it validates it locally for road use.
It can be issued by:
- The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC)
- The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT)
The 2009 Motor Traffic Act Amendment Explained
In 2009, Sri Lanka amended the Motor Traffic Act to reference Article 41 of the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Important facts:
- Sri Lanka is NOT a Contracting Party to the 1968 Vienna Convention
- The reference in the Act is a domestic administrative reference only
- This amendment did not repeal the 1958 Gazette
Therefore:
- 1949 Geneva Convention remains the governing treaty
- The 1958 Gazette remains the controlling domestic law
Why the 2011 Vienna IDP Changes Do NOT Apply to Sri Lanka
In 2011, the Vienna Convention introduced new licence sub-categories such as B1.
However:
- Sri Lanka never adopted the 2011 Vienna amendments into law
- The Sri Lankan Motor Traffic Act still reflects the pre-2011 structure
- Therefore, under Sri Lankan law, A and B remain the applicable IDP categories for tuk-tuks
Is the Department of Motor Traffic Allowed to Issue Temporary Licences?
Yes. Under Section 132 of the Motor Traffic Act, the Commissioner-General of Motor Traffic is empowered to issue:
“A temporary driving licence to any person who satisfies the Commissioner that he is a bona fide visitor to Sri Lanka.”
This power:
- Does NOT require an IDP
- Does NOT require a medical test
- Does NOT require a practical exam
Therefore, the DMT legally *can* issue temporary licences to visitors if it chooses to exercise that authority.
The Current Legal Position (Clear & Final)
A foreign tourist may legally drive a tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka if they hold:
- A valid national driving licence
- A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)
- A valid Sri Lankan Covering Permit issued by the AAC or DMT
Under Sri Lankan law:
- 1949 IDP requires Category A or B
- 1968 Vienna IDP (pre-2011 format) also recognises A or B
In all cases, the Covering Permit remains the mandatory local authorisation.
Why Sri Lanka Must Continue Recognising IDPs
If Sri Lanka were to withdraw from the 1949 Geneva Convention:
- Sri Lankan IDPs would lose international recognition
- Sri Lankan drivers would lose driving rights abroad
- Tens of thousands of foreign tourists would be affected
If Sri Lanka ever accedes to the 1968 Vienna Convention, it would require:
- Full road sign harmonisation
- Updated driver testing standards
- Infrastructure and enforcement upgrades
- Multi-billion-rupee implementation costs
Final Conclusion
The law is settled.
Tourists are legally permitted to drive tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka when they possess a valid International Driving Permit together with a Sri Lankan Covering Permit issued under Gazette No. 11,603 of 1958.
This is not a loophole. This is the law as enacted by Parliament, confirmed by treaty, and applied for over six decades.