The Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Sri Lanka for Tourists

Step 1: decide whether to drive yourself

Self-drive gives you the most freedom, but it is not for everyone. Traffic is dense around Colombo, Kandy and the coastal towns. Buses overtake on blind bends, three-wheelers stop without warning and pedestrians cross anywhere. Many visitors who have driven in Europe or Australia adapt within a day; others prefer to be driven and keep their energy for sightseeing.

A sensible compromise is a chauffeur-driven car for the first one or two days, or for the mountain sections, and self-drive for the rest. Compare the two on our pages for self-drive rental and chauffeur-driven tours.

Step 2: sort your documents

Under our rental terms the driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid national driving licence with at least one to two years of experience. Foreign nationals must hold a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) or obtain a temporary driving endorsement from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC). Bring your passport and your home licence as well, because the licence is checked against your passport at handover.

Rules for foreign drivers have changed more than once in recent years, and different sources describe different routes: an AAC recognition permit, a temporary licence from the Department of Motor Traffic, or an IDP carried with your home licence. Because the details change, check the current requirements with the AAC or the Department of Motor Traffic before you travel and keep printed copies of whatever you are issued. Our guide to driving licence rules for tourists goes through the options, and we can advise on the process once you have booked.

• Passport and a valid Sri Lankan visa or ETA
• Your national driving licence (with an English translation if it is not in English)
• International Driving Permit or the local endorsement or permit
• A card or cash for the security deposit and rental payment

Step 3: choose the right vehicle

The right car depends more on the route than on the number of passengers. A small hybrid sedan is economical on the Southern Expressway and coastal road. Hill-country routes such as Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella have steep climbs and tight bends, where a crossover such as the Honda Vezel or Toyota C-HR, or an SUV such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, feels more comfortable. Groups of six or more are better in a Toyota Hiace KDH van. See best cars for Sri Lanka's hill country roads for more detail.

Step 4: understand the rules of the road

Traffic keeps to the left and vehicles are right-hand drive. Seat belts are required for the driver and front passenger. Speed limits are posted: they are low in towns, higher on open roads and highest on the expressways, which are limited to 100 km/h at most. Speed cameras and police checks are common, and the hirer pays any fines.

On the road, expect the following. Buses and trucks claim space by size, and the safest response is to let them pass. Horns are used to say 'I am here', not in anger. Two-lane roads in villages and towns have people, dogs, cattle and bicycles at the edge. At night many roads are unlit and some vehicles have weak lights, so plan to arrive before dark.

Step 5: understand insurance, deposit and fuel

All H.B.S. vehicles carry genuine commercial rent-a-car insurance. A standard insurance excess applies and is stated in your rental agreement, so you know your maximum liability for damage before you leave. Insurance is void if the driver is unlicensed, intoxicated or grossly negligent, and only drivers named in the agreement may drive. Extra drivers can be added in advance by showing their licences.

A refundable security deposit is taken at handover and returned after the return inspection. The fuel policy is full-to-full or same-level: return the car with the same fuel level as at pickup. Standard rates include 100 km per day, with extra kilometres charged at the excess rate, so work out your route distance in advance. The hirer also pays expressway tolls and any parking fines.

Step 6: plan the route realistically

Distances are short, but journey times are longer than a map suggests. As a rule of thumb, allow around 40 km per hour on ordinary roads and slower in the hills. These are approximate driving times from Colombo airport in normal traffic:

Step 7: collect and return the car properly

At handover, walk around the car with the agent. Check the tyres including the spare, lights, air conditioning, wipers and fuel level, and photograph any existing marks. Make sure you have the registration papers, the insurance details and the 24/7 contact number. On return, bring the car back with the agreed fuel level, and allow time for the return inspection, especially before a flight.

If anything goes wrong on the road, call our 24/7 support line immediately and, for an accident, the police as well (119 is the national emergency number for police). Do not agree to repair work yourself, and keep any receipts. Our terms ask you to report mechanical warning lights and unusual noises straight away, because early reports prevent breakdowns.

Quick tips

• Download offline maps before you leave Wi-Fi; coverage is patchy in the hills.
• Carry some cash for tolls, parking and roadside stalls.
• Keep your passport copy, licence, IDP and rental agreement in the car.
• Avoid driving after dark outside the main expressways.
• Never leave valuables visible when you park.