Renting a Car in Sri Lanka as a UK Visitor: Licence, Roads and Routes

What will feel familiar

You sit on the right, change gear with your left hand if the car is manual, and give way to traffic already on a roundabout from the right. Road signs use English as well as Sinhala and Tamil, and distances on signs are in kilometres. The vehicles themselves are mostly Japanese, the same makes you meet at home, so a Toyota or Honda will not need explaining.

What is different

Speed limits are in kilometres per hour, not miles. The posted limit on expressways is a maximum of 100 km/h, which is about 62 mph. Traffic in towns moves in a continuous stream of buses, three-wheelers, motorbikes and pedestrians. Lane discipline is looser than on a British road: overtaking happens on both sides, indicators are optional for some drivers, and a horn means 'I am passing'.

Your licence and permit

Under our rental terms a foreign driver must hold a valid national licence and either a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) or a temporary driving endorsement from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC). UK drivers can obtain an IDP at a post office branch before leaving. Bring your photocard licence and the IDP, and your passport.

Rules for foreign drivers in Sri Lanka have changed more than once, so check the latest requirements with the AAC or the Department of Motor Traffic before you fly. Our guide to driving licence rules for tourists lists the options.

Which car to choose

A hybrid sedan such as a Toyota Prius or Axio is closest to what you drive at home and is economical on long distances. A Honda Vezel or Toyota C-HR gives you a higher seating position and more clearance on hill roads. Families of five or six with large luggage are better in a Land Cruiser Prado or a Toyota Hiace KDH van. All cars are covered by commercial rent-a-car insurance, with an excess stated in the agreement. See the car list.

A ten-day route that suits first-time drivers

This route keeps daily driving to around four hours and puts the longest days in the middle, when you are used to the roads.

Practical points for UK visitors

• Allow more time than the distance suggests; as a rule use 40 km/h for planning.
• Do not drive at night outside the expressways if you can avoid it.
• Keep your phone charged and download offline maps.
• Take out travel insurance that covers driving abroad, in addition to the rental insurance.
• Check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for Sri Lanka before you travel; see our travel advisory guide.