Foreigner Driving In Sri Lanka.

Foreigner driving in Sri Lanka must have proper license and other valid documents for that vehicle.. Furthermore Tourists who are visiting to Sri Lanka can drive car, Jeep, motorcycle and Tuk Tuk by getting their temporary driving license permit of Sri Lanka. There is one important rules applies to the drivers here. You can't make calls or receive calls while you are driving a vehicle. If the police officers find out that while you are driving and using a phone, you will get a large some of fine for this violation. In addition you must have required papers to drive a motorcycle or vehicle according to its class. In addition they must be valid ones and not expired ones as per Sri Lanka Traffic law.

Due to ME conflict, most of the essential things prices had gone up including cooking gas, Petrol and diesel in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka Tourists Overstaying Their Visa Periods.

Those who are staying over to their visa periods will placed in the detention camps.
Later will be produced in the Courts.
Recently Chinese and Indonesian nationls were arrested for overstaying the visa period and and in addition, engaging in illegal jobs.

What is the popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka?
Nuwera Eliya, Kandy and Ella are the top destinations.
If you want to visit these places, make sure you have booked good romms.
Because these places are cold in the months of November to February.

Now Sri Lanka Government is offering many kinds of visas for the foreigners.
Fee for electronic travel authorization on arrival - USD 60 for tourists. USD 65 for businesses people.
Visa under "My Dream Home Visa" program is USD 200.

Foreigner Driving in Sri Lanka.

To obtain a temporary driving permit, foreigners should have to provide their valid IDP or valid own country driving license. Obtaining a temporary driving permit can be done within hours. The person must pay small amount of fee for the service to the relevant Department.

Most of the Tourists are riding Sri Lanka Tuk Tuk that can be rented on daily rental basis at affordable price.
These 3 Wheelers are good for 4 people including the driver.
Local Agents will offer 3-wheels with rider training and with proper documents for a small fee.
It is necessary to place a safety deposit when you renting a Tuk Tuk from provider (Will be be refunded when you return the vehicle.)

It is against the law to drive a car, jeep, motorcycle, scooter or Tuk Tuk without any of the following documents.

1) Valid driving license and vehicle's Revenue License.
2) Third party Insurance Coverage.
3) Recently taken Green test document. (Not necessary for Electric vehicles)
4) Motorcycle and Scooter riders must wear certified helmet.

Sri Lanka Law prohibits the following.
1. It is against the law to drive under the influence of hard drinks.
2. Driver can't use hand held devices while driving.
3. Night time running without headlights and tail lights.
4. Must follow the street Law and drive according to the road signs.
5. Only 4 wheel vehicles can use the Express Ways. Other types are prohibited on it. (Violators will be prosecuted.)

Contact your travel agent or tour operator to get your temporary driving permit. This is the easy way, as you don't know the places and the required form and formalities. If necessary they will assist you to go for a practical test with the department. Also they can make arrangements to hire local motorcycles and Tuk Tuk on daily or weekly rental basis.

As per the motor traffic department of Sri Lanka,

Conversion of Foreign Driving License.

• Only light vehicle license can be obtained under this system.
• The foreign driving license which is valid for the conversion date (Provisional driving licenses or learner permits are not accepted)
• If the applicant is a foreign national, the applicant having valid visa for more than 06 months period are eligible for applying a Sri Lankan driving license while other having a valid visa for less than six months will only be issued with a temporary driving license.
• If the Driving license and the passport are not in English, then English translations of those two documents should be done by the relevant Embassy/Mission.
• Medical fitness certificate obtained from the National Transport Medical Institute, within a period of six months.
• One letter of acknowledgment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the event of a person is in the foreign Diplomatic service.
• The passport with the National Identity Card Number on it, in the event of a Sri Lankan or a holder of dual citizenship.
• Issuance of a temporary driving license for a period of one month, on a foreign driving license (for a foreign national)
• Driving permit can be issued according to the user's Sri Lanka Visa period.
• It is against the Law to use mobile phone or CDMA phone to receive calls or to make calls.
• If you have mobile phone and mobile phone data plan, then it will help you to navigate through Google maps.
  

Call Department of Motor Traffic.
011-2694331 / 2694332/2694333
(Only on working days in office hours. Saturday, Sunday and Poya Days are considered as holidays.)

Related Fees. - www.motortraffic.gov.lk
Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC)
Read more www.ceylontusker.com