Traveling to sri lanka?

Driving Directions

• Beira Lake is just a five-minute ride from central Colombo.
• Head west on McCallum Rd/AC6 toward Kovil Veediya.
• Turn left at Lake House Bus Stop onto Colombo - Batticaloa Hwy/Colombo - Ratnapura - Wellawaya - Batticaloa Rd/Parsons Rd/Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha/A4.
• Turn left at Air Force Hq Bus Stop onto Kew Point Rd.
• Turn right at SLPA Security Training School on Morgan Rd.

As you start your trip in Colombo, make sure to have your driving documents available - your International Driver's Permit/License, local driver’s license, and your passport. You don’t want to jeopardize your trip because you missed one crucial document to drive in Sri Lanka legally.

There are still some who would ask, do you need an international driver’s license in Sri Lanka? The answer is yes! An international driver’s license for Sri Lanka is essential, especially when you pass by some checkpoints in the country. It could be one of the things authorities might want to see during inspections.

How easy is it to get an international driver’s license for your trip to Sri Lanka? It's as easy as one to three! Application for an international driver’s license can be made online; the physical copy will be shipped to you anywhere you want, may it be in Sri Lanka or to another country. You can visit the International Driver’s Association’s home page through your computer or mobile phones for your international driving license application before you travel to Sri Lanka. As you plan your trip to Sri Lanka, be mindful and key in the necessary information online for your international driver’s permit, such as your name, address, birthday, email address, contact number, and zip code.

Driving Directions

• This is just an 8-minute car ride from central Colombo.
• Drive along Darley Rd/T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Dr Colvin R de Silva Mawatha/Union Pl, Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha and Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha.
• Turn left at SriLankaExporters.
• Destination will be on the left.

Applying for an international driver’s license in Sri Lanka might be online, but you still need to provide the requirements. All you need to do is upload them once you encode your crucial personal information. In Sri Lanka or to another country, make sure to encode the proper zip code of the address you want your international driver’s license to be shipped.

A zip code is essential to make shipments efficient and quick, so your international driver’s license will be shipped immediately before heading out for Sri Lanka. Also, remember that your current address and shipping address might be different. So better verify first when you apply on the website so you won’t have problems having your international driver’s license for your visit to Sri Lanka.

Since you are driving around the city, be mindful of road regulations and be vigilant while driving. Some drivers might not follow road rules all time. You do not want your trip to be ruined very early in your stay. Be mindful of traffic signs. Sri Lanka might not be an English-speaking country, but traffic signs have English translations not to have a hard time understanding them.

Driving Directions

• Travel time from Colombo is about 3 hours.
• Follow McCallum Rd/AC6 and T. B. Jayah Mawatha to Maradana Rd/AC19.
• Take Colombo - Kandy Rd/A1 to Gannoruwa Road/Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha/B365 in Central Province.
• Follow Gannoruwa Road and AB42 to Kandy Rd/Kandy - Jaffna Highway/Sri Dalada Veediya/A9 in Kandy.
• Drive to Sangaraja Mawatha.
• Turn left at Provincial Health Ministry to stay at Sangaraja Mawatha.

You may be wondering how much would it cost you to get an international driving license? The price for an international driving license in Sri Lanka is $49, which is valid for one year. You can also check other deals online through the International Driver’s Association website for your international driver’s license application when you visit Sri Lanka.

An international driver’s license or international driving license, as some call it, is essential when you travel and drive to Sri Lanka and other foreign places. Your international driver’s license is not only for Sri Lanka. You can still use it when you visit other countries, so long that it is not expired.

Don’t fear if the validity has expired after your trip to Sri Lanka; you can always apply for an international driving license. You can fill out and submit another application form for your international driving license, especially when you feel like traveling after exploring Sri Lanka.

Driving Directions

• If you drive from Colombo, it will take you more than four hours to reach the place.
• Take Colombo - Katunayake Expy/E03 to Canada Friendship Rd/AB9 in Katunayake.
• Take Veyangoda Rd/B208, Ekala - Kotadeniyawa Rd/B111, B322, B308 and Kalugamuwa-Wariyapola Rd to Kurunegala - Minuwangate Rd/A10 in Wariyapola.
• Continue to Anuradhapura.
• Continue on A28 to your destination.

Driving Directions

• You can check out The Gal Vihara after visiting the sacred Bodhi Tree. Travel time is about more than two hours.
• Take Mihindu Mawatha and New Elkaduwa Road to Bandaranaike Mawatha/A28.
• Take Kandy Rd/Kandy - Jaffna Highway/A9 and A11 to Hingurakgoda Rd/Minneriya-Hingurakgoda Rd/B287 in Minneriya.
• Follow Hingurakgoda Rd/Minneriya-Hingurakgoda Rd/B287 and Polonnaruwa-Hingurakgoda Rd/B552 to your destination in Nissankamallapura.

You might be wondering why a local driver’s license is not enough when you drive in Sri Lanka or other foreign countries. An International Driver’s License is an English to your local driver’s license in Sri Lanka. Thus, making it very important for you to have one you authorities can understand and validate your license.

Getting an IDP is a hassle-free process. The International Driver’s Association assures you that. After submitting your application form, you can already have your International Driving License digital copy sent to your email in just two hours; you can even use your IDP on your foreign trip aside from Sri Lanka. Just make sure that it is still valid by then. You can choose from 1 to 3 years of validity for your IDP.

Driving Directions

• If you are coming from The Gal Vihara, travel time is only more than an hour.
• Continue to Polonnaruwa
• Continue on Polonnaruwa-Hingurakgoda Rd/B552. Drive from A11 and Sigiriya Rd to Dambulla
• Turn right

Sri Lankans are known to be warm people. So if you have problems with directions, don't hesitate to ask for recommendations, but approach them in a friendly and polite manner. Also, they have this gesture of shaking their head; however, it does not mean displeasure or any negative; it’s like them saying yes or a motion of agreement. So better confirm by talking to them. Some Sri Lankans can understand English.

Driving Directions

• From Colombo, travel to Nuwara Eliya is approximately 174km or 4 hours and 45-minute drive.
• You can take the Avissawella - Hatton - Nuwara Eliya Highway/A7. This is the fastest route. This route has tolls along the way.

Make sure to place your important documents where you can easily pull them out when it is needed. There will be checkpoints as you go along your trip, especially in areas considered as high-security zones. Don’t be upset by authorities letting you stop for a moment, instead be polite and answer their questions if they have.

Always remember that you need to settle your international driver’s license in Sri Lanka requirements to drive legally in the country. The international driving license price is $49, and with just a few clicks on an international driver’s license online application through the International Driver’s Association website, you can already apply for an international driver’s permit to travel around Sri Lanka. Do remember that the official name of the International Driver’s License is an “International Driving Permit.”

Driving Directions

• It takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach Hortons Plains from tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya.
• Head southeast on Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Highway/A5.
• Turn right at Magasthota Police Post onto Blackpool - Magasthota Rd.
• Turn left at Pradeep Motors onto Blackpool-Ambewela-Pattipola-Horton Plain Rd/B512.
• Turn left at Hiru Holiday Bungalow to stay on Blackpool-Ambewela-Pattipola-Horton Plain Rd/B512.
• Turn right at Ambewela Jct onto World's End Rd/B512.

You don’t need to line up at offices in booking an international driver’s license for your Sri Lanka trip; you can always check the website of the International Driver’s Association to get you started. Since it is all on the website, there is no need to schedule an appointment for your international driver’s permit in Sri Lanka application.

If you happen to lose your international driving license while traveling in Sri Lanka, you can just reach out to International Driver’s Associations website through their contact number (+1-877-533-2804) or email address hello@internationaldriversassociation.com.

Driving Directions

• From Horton’s Plains National Park, you can reach Ella town in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Take Ohiya Rd/B508 to Beragala-Hali Ela Hwy/A16 in Bandarawela
• Continue on A16 to Ella
• Turn left at Ella city center and information onto Ella - Passara Rd/B113

After all those mountain trips, why not visit some great beaches in the country? Apart from history, Sri Lanka offers long coastlines and sandy beaches you can choose from. Make sure to set yourself for some water adventure as well.

Sri Lanka is a bit different from some countries as it has additional requirements for you to drive around the country. Once you get an international driver’s license for your Sri Lanka trip, you must present it to the Department of Motor traffic for a temporary driving permit. Your temporary driving permit in Sri Lanka and your international driver's license must go together since the latter serves as your local driver's license English translation.

Driving Directions

• If you are coming from Ella town after climbing Ella Rock, it will take you about two hours to reach Hiriketiya.
• Take Katella Rd to Ella Rd/Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway/A23.
• Follow Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Hwy/A23 and Colombo - Galle - Hambantota - Wellawaya Rd/A2 to Southern Province.
• Continue to E01.
• Follow E01. Take the exit toward B54 from E01.
• Follow Dikwella - Beliatte Rd/B101 to Colombo - Galle - Hambantota - Wellawaya Hwy/Tangalle Rd/A2 in Dikwella.
• Turn left at Ruhunu Glass onto Colombo - Galle - Hambantota - Wellawaya Hwy/Tangalle Rd/A2.
• Take Hiriketiya Rd to your destination.

Checkpoints are present in Sri Lanka, and anyone is obliged to stop for inspection, even tourists. You have to be ready with your documents, including your international driving license, while you are in Sri Lanka. To get an international driver’s license for Sri Lanka, you just have to log on to the International Driver’s Association’s website to know how. All you need to provide is your name, address, contact number, email address, and zip code.

A zip code is a vital information in applying for an international driver’s permit for Sri Lanka since it locates and verifies the shipping address where the physical copy of the license is sent. If you bought your IDP with a validity of three years, no need to worry because you can always use your international driver’s license for Sri Lanka, to drive to other countries.

So there's no such thing as an international driving license for Sri Lanka only since, so long as it is still within its validity, you can always use your IDP.

Driving Directions

• Negombo City is about an hour’s drive from Colombo.
• Take Maradana Rd/AC19, A1, Sebastian Canal Rd, Dr. Britto Babapulle Pl, ... and A1 to Colombo - Katunayake Expy/E03 in Wattala.
• Take Maradana Rd/AC19, A1, Sebastian Canal Rd, Dr. Britto Babapulle Pl, ... and A1 to Colombo - Katunayake Expy/E03 in Wattala.
• Continue on Chilaw - Colombo Main Rd/Puttalam - Colombo Rd/A3. Drive to Poruthota Road in Negombo.

Don’t miss out on the wildlife hotspots Sri Lanka has to offer. Each national park is distinct from one another. Read further to check on some of them.

Driving Directions

• From Hiriketiya Beach, it would take you close to three hours to get to Sinharaja Forest Reserve.
• Take Hiriketiya Rd to Colombo - Galle - Hambantota - Wellawaya Hwy/Tangalle Rd/A2
• Continue on Colombo - Galle - Hambantota - Wellawaya Hwy/Tangalle Rd/A2. Take Dikwella - Beliatte Rd/B101, Beliatta - Walasmulla Rd/B54, Walasmulla - Katuwana - Middeniya Road/B485, Ambagahahena, ... and Batandura Rd to Deniyaya Pallegama Road in Deniyaya
• Continue on Deniyaya Pallegama Road. Take Kolam Enigma Dombagoda Rd to Lankagama Deniyaya Rd

Driving Directions

• The fastest route going here is from Kandy, for almost 4 hours.
• Head southwest on Baladaksha Mawatha toward Getambe Kandy By Pass/William Gopallawa Mawatha/AB42.
• Take Haragama Rd/B413 and Mahaweli Raja Mawatha/B492 to Jambugahapitiya-Mahagama Rd in Uva Province.
• Take Ritigaha - Arawa Rd to Bibile - Uraniya - Mahiyangana Rd/B57 in Rideemaliyadda.
• Continue on Bible - Uraniya - Mahiyangana Rd/B57. Take B527 to Pallang Oya - Inginiyagala/B350 in Eastern Province.

Basic Driving Rules

Some country roads may require you to drive on the right side of the road. When you go to Sri Lanka, you have to drive on the left side of the road.

Have Your IDP With You All the Time

Do you need an international driver’s license in Sri Lanka? When driving around Sri Lanka, one must have an IDP. Only those tourists who have an IDP are given access to rent a car by car rental owners and are allowed to drive in Sri Lanka. IDP is also essential while exploring the country since there will be checkpoints along the way. It’s hassle-free when you already have the necessary documents presented not to waste your time while traveling.

You need to apply for an International Driving License online before you travel to Sri Lanka. This way, you will be ready to rent a car once you arrive in Sri Lanka. Some car rental companies ask for your IDP before they can lend you the car. An international driving license can also be used for your visits to other countries requiring such, aside from Sri Lanka.

Don’t Miss Out on Essential Documents.

You can expect checkpoints in some places in Sri Lanka. So don’t forget your IDP with you, together with your driver’s license, passport, and some identification cards. These might be needed on certain inspections. It pays to be ready.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol is Prohibited

Road accidents are one of the most deadly accidents in the world. Drunk driving can lead to minor and significant injuries. For those who will be caught drunk driving, there is a fine between Rs 25,000 to 30,000, and your license might be suspended for up to 12 months. A driver must not consume over 0.06% of alcohol.

Sri Lanka has Three Different Speed Limits; obey Them.

Authorities in Sri Lanka are strict on these speed limits. For residential or rural areas, your vehicle speed must not be more than 50KPH. When passing through urban roads, you have a speed limit of 70KPH. Meanwhile, highways and expressways are 100PKH. Police officers will not hesitate to stop you when you go over the speed limit, even when you pass through expressways.

Wearing Seatbelts

There is a corresponding fine for not wearing seatbelts while you are on the road. Drivers and passengers alike have to wear seatbelts. Toddlers should be provided with car seats and avoid sharing seatbelts with them.

Do Not Use Cell Phones When Driving in Sri Lanka

Though it has been a habit for some to check their cell phones now and then, it is prohibited when you are driving. You must know that you can use your cell phone, especially when you expect an essential call to use the hands-free system. You should focus on driving, especially on foreign roads.

Observe Road Signs While Driving in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan road signs are somewhat the same as other countries, there might be some differences, but it is very minimal. Road signs in Sri Lanka have three languages on them, Sinhala, Tamil, and English. These first two are the country’s official languages.

Do Not Drive with an Expired License

Driving with an expired local driver’s license and a dead international driver’s permit in Sri Lanka is prohibited. Sri Lankan Authorities are quite strict with issuing licenses to drive in the country. They even ask you to secure a temporary driving permit apart from the aforementioned legal drive in Sri Lanka. That is how particular they are with licenses.

Getting your International Driver’s Permit to drive in Sri Lanka can be done online at the International Driver's Association website. The renewal for a Sri Lankan driver’s license costs about Rs 2,500, while the price for IDP is $49. If you accidentally lose your IDP, the International Driver’s Association offers replacement services where the only cost you have to shoulder is the shipping fee.

As you schedule your trip to Sri Lanka, you should apply for your international driver’s permit as it serves as your ticket to driving here. You can use your mobile phone or your computer to apply for an international driving license before traveling to Sri Lanka. Through the International Driver’s Association website, you will be asked to fill out information such as your name, birthday, address.

When filling out your IDP

Make sure to fill them out appropriately, especially that information where the IDA team can reach you for clarifications on your international driving license in Sri Lanka; it could be your contact number or email address. No need for booking a slot as well in applying for an international driver’s license since it is online; in just two hours, your IDP will be available for your Sri Lanka trip.

There is so much to consider when you plan your international trip. You have to plan out your destinations, allocate money and time for every destination. Exploring the variety of wonders in Sri Lanka by driving your car gives you freedom with your time and flexibility with your itinerary. And remember to secure an IDP before setting out on your trip to avoid problems as you journey through Sri Lanka.