Obtaining a driving permit

Tourists can obtain a temporary Sri Lankan driving permit at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) near the exit, right behind the currency exchange counters. The cost is 15,000 LKR, and you must present your national driving license. If you attempt to access this counter after leaving the arrival hall, security may block you unless you pay 500 LKR for an entry ticket or state that you only need to access the currency exchange.

Tourists can obtain a temporary local driving permit at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). The counter is located on the left side upon exit. The cost is approximately 15,000 LKR for a one-month permit, and the process takes about 20 minutes without queues. Police stops for bikers are common. Some tourists report resolving issues with a small payment (e.g., 2000 LKR) or by confidently driving past if they possess a permit.

To obtain a driver's license in Sri Lanka, it is possible to get it at the airport. Further clarification on the exact location within the airport is needed.

To drive legally in Sri Lanka, tourists must obtain a Temporary Driving Permit based on their national driver's license. As of early 2026, these are no longer limited to Colombo (Werahera) or the main airport, but can be obtained at regional Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) offices in Kurunegala, Hambantota, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, and Jaffna.

When applying for a temporary driving permit at the airport in Sri Lanka, personal photographs are not required as applicants are photographed on-site.