Driving A Tuktuk In Sri Lanka (+Discount Code Inside!)

My first time visiting Sri Lanka was nothing short of adventurous. I did the Adam’s Peak hike, a treacherously steep mountain through the night to catch the sunrise, I climbed down the Nil Diya Pokhuna Cave in Ella to swim in a refreshingly cool natural pool, rode through the famous B35 Road near Yala National Park to see wild elephants, climbed up the narrow and dangerously high steps of Ambuluwawa Tower and – just to name a few incredible experiences of my month long trip in Sri Lanka.

But the one thing that made my entire trip stand out was the fact that I rented and self drove a tuktuk (or auto rickshaw) on a road trip across Sri Lanka for an entire month. Yes, you read that right! Sri Lanka is in fact the only country in the world where you can rent and drive a tuktuk all by yourself, made possible by the very wonderful organization: Tuktuk Rental!

Driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka was nothing short of exciting every single day. And this guide on renting and driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka will help you get your own adventure on as well!

Use my coupon code “AVANTIKA” for a 5% discount on the Tuktuk Rental website!

Renting a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka

Choosing the Right Tuktuk Rental Company

To go driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka, you will find a number of tuktuk rental companies in Sri Lanka to choose from. However, Tuktuk Rental has been the reigning champion when it comes to renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka, and it is not without surprise.

If you have done your research on driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka, I’m sure you already know this. But if not: Tuktuk Rental is a bit pricier with their rentals. But I can say with certainty, it is not without cause. I’ll tell you more about this in a minute. But first, here is why I suggest choosing Tuktuk Rental to rent a tuktuk in Sri Lanka:

• They are a social business. They rent their tuktuks from real tuktuk drivers across Sri Lanka, instead of having their own fleet to rent out from. This means they give back to the local population in a country where 6% of the national labour force are tuktuk drivers.
• They have properly serviced and well maintained tuk tuks and they will promptly replace your tuk tuk if there is ever a major fault.
• They have 24×7 WhatsApp customer support who are there for you for every big (or small) issue.
• The tuktuk driving lessons they give are comprehensive and will leave you a confident driver!
• Comprehensive insurance is included when renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka via Tuktuk Rental. This tuktuk rental insurance covers all parties.
• They have pick up and drop off locations for your tuktuk around Sri Lanka.
• When you rent a tuktuk in Sri Lanka with Tuktuk Rental, you also get access to their social community of tuktuk drivers like yourself on Facebook and WhatsApp where you can ask for recommendations, look for travel buddies or simply meet up with fellow tuktukers!

It’s these little and big things that truly set them apart from all other tuktuk rental agencies in Sri Lanka.

A fellow travel buddy of mine who I met through the Host A Sister group on Facebook, decided to go with a different tuktuk Sri Lanka rental company to cut costs. However, the tuktuk they gave her had carburettor issues, had brakes that did not work well and the driving lessons were insufficient at best. The customer support was also ineffective and could not be bothered that her life was on the line with that faulty tuktuk! She was troubled with that tuktuk for a long time before deciding to give it up earlier than expected and share a ride with me instead.

When you are driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka: a strange vehicle in a strange country, you surely do not want to be burdened with a poorly kept machine and lessons that don’t give you enough confidence. On top of that, trusty customer support is a high priority too!

Sri Lanka Driving Permit

When driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka, or any other vehicle for that matter, you need to have a local Sri Lankan driving permit on top of your national driver’s license (yes, even if you have the International Driving Permit IDP!) There is not a lot of logic to this rule but you have to go with it in case the cops stop you, which they probably will (more about that further in this guide to driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka).

So to get the Sri Lanka Driving Permit, you can either go to the Department of Motor Traffic in Colombo yourself or have Tuktuk Rental to get a license for you. If you go the DIY route, you will pay about 7,500 LKR or approx 21 USD and spend half a day getting your tuktuk license in Sri Lanka. Remember, the offices are closed on weekends and public holidays. If you have Tuktuk Rental do this for you, you do not have to worry about anything, but pay a total of 40 USD per license for the agent service.

Driving a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka

Tuktuk Driving Lessons

The first step to finally driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka is, well, to learn to drive a tuktuk! When you book a tuktuk with Tuktuk Rental, they send over your tuktuk with an instructor to your hotel for a few hours of lessons so you can learn how to drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka. It varies how long your lessons will go on depending on how quick a learner you are. Mine took three hours in total and my instructor Melvin was really patient with me!

To start off on my driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka journey, Melvin took me to a quiet part of Colombo without any traffic and we practised turning the ignition on, switching the four different gears, turning the tuktuk and driving in reverse. I was really nervous at the beginning but Melvin from Tuktuk Rental made sure I practised each skill enough times that it soon became muscle memory.

Finally, we also practised in the heavy Colombo traffic and I drove my tuktuk all the way back to my hotel. I was constantly reassured by my instructor while being given tips on how I could be better. Driving in the traffic with my instructor first was definitely helpful instead of jumping into it without practice with an instructor first.

Laws About Driving a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka

Before you finally venture out with your tuktuk on Lankan roads here are some laws about driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka to remember, especially if you’re wondering how to drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka:

• Sri Lanka drives on the left side of the road and the vehicles are right-hand drives.
• Tuktuks are not allowed to go on the highways in Sri Lanka. To ensure you don’t end up on a highway road mistakenly and pay a fine for it (I almost did), make sure you set your Google Maps vehicle to “two-wheeler”.
• The speed limit for a tuktuk in Sri Lanka is 40 kilometres an hour.
• Applying for a local Sri Lankan driving permit is mandatory for foreigners to drive in Sri Lanka.

Insurance for Driving a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka

While Tuktuk Rental gives you tuktuk rental insurance, it’s a good idea to have a general travel insurance that will keep you covered in case you were to get in an accident and injure yourself.

I recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Regardless of where you are from and where you are travelling to, you can buy travel insurance from SafetyWing at approximately 45 USD for 4 weeks, with additional coverage options including adventure sports (like if you plan to go scuba diving) and electronics theft (perfect if you are a digital nomad).

The Reality Behind Driving a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka

And when it’s finally time to get to driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka, you will learn so many things about this beautiful country and immerse yourself with the local people, unlike any other way. But here are some of my key takeaways from driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka:

• The initial few days of driving will be scary. I got the hang of it in 6 days — you might get it sooner!
• Sri Lankan traffic is much like Indian traffic. Big vehicles don’t care about who’s on the road so it’s always better to slow down and let the bus/ truck/ lorry pass for the safest driving in Sri Lanka.
• The law is a maximum of 40 kmph for driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka but I drove up to 60 and didn’t get caught.
• Repairing a tuktuk is easy and cheap. Minor repairs are a 15 minute task and a repair shop can be found easily throughout the country.

• Always have your license on you. On the very first day, I took a turn onto the highway and was stopped by the cops. I told them it was my first day driving and I didn’t realise this was the highway so they let me go with a warning.
• City traffic can be horrible and nerve-wracking. Getting out of Colombo was a challenge but the worst of driving in Sri Lanka for me was definitely Kandy because, on top of the traffic, the route is all hilly and quite steep too!
• You will stall, many many times. But it’s okay. Take a deep breath and give it another go.
• If you’re stuck somewhere and can’t reverse or can’t seem to start the tuktuk on, just ask for help from locals around. Most people know how to operate a tuktuk so you won’t ever feel stranded even if you break down.
• You will be cheered upon, stared at, and have curious, happy faces all around you. It’s a part of driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka as a foreigner/ as a woman. It comes with the territory so be proud of it!
• If the route seems difficult, ask a tuktuk driver to drive you. Yeah, it’s possible! I did this twice – once while going from Hatton to Nallathanniya to climb Adam’s Peak and once at Ambuluwawa Tower. And since it’s your tuktuk and your fuel that’s being used, you’ll get the driver for a good deal too!

• It’s safer than you think it is. No, really. I managed to lose traction on a muddy road, get scratched by a van on a narrow single lane, and get imbalanced by bumpy dirt roads. But each time, I didn’t get hurt, the tuktuk didn’t get hurt and we carried on to live another day.
• And finally: the freedom that comes with driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka IS WORTH IT!

Tuktuk Sri Lanka Itinerary

The itinerary I followed while driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka was mostly a southwest loop of the country starting from Colombo, going through Central Province before heading down for Southern Province via Yala and finally back to Negombo via the A2 Coastal Highway.

Here is the complete tuktuk Sri Lanka itinerary I followed for 28 days:

• Colombo to Sigiriya
• Sigirya to Kandy via Dambulla
• Kandy to Nallathanniya (Adam’s Peak) via Hatton
• Hatton to Ella via Nuwara Elliya
• Ella to Tissamahrama (Yala National Park) via B35 Road
• Tissamaharama to Tangalle
• Tangalle to Mirissa
• Mirissa to Negombo via Galle

I took my time going in my tuktuk around Sri Lanka and spending at least a couple of nights at each place. But if you want, this could also be your Sri Lanka itinerary for 3 weeks.

Ultimately, I ended up completing 1,000 kilometres in 28 days and seeing some extraordinary parts of the country and having memorable adventures while driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka!

I will be posting complete travel guides for each of these places mentioned above in the coming months. So stay tuned and don’t forget to hit subscribe! For more immediate information, head to my Instagram for selected coverage about my travels in Sri Lanka. Give me a follow there and drop a DM, or simply drop your comment below this post and I’ll be happy to help you as best as I can 🙂

Pro tip: If you want to take a train for a certain stretch of your journey such as the Colombo to Ella train, you can also have your tuktuk dropped off to your preferred train station at an added cost!

Driving a Tuktuk in Sri Lanka – FAQs

What is the typical passenger capacity of a traditional tuktuk?

The maximum number of passengers a tuktuk can accommodate is 4: three in the back and one driver. However, this will be quite tight and I recommend no more than 3 total people for your Sri Lanka tuktuk road trip for maximum comfort!

How much is fuel in Sri Lanka?

Because of the still unstable economy, fuel prices may vary by the time it’s time for your Sri Lanka tuktuk road trip. However, for the month I was there, fuel prices remained more or less consistent (356 LKR or 1.10 USD per litre). A full tank of fuel in a tuktuk is 9 litres (7.5+1.5 for reserve). Be prepared to burn a full tank every 140 kilometres on straight roads going 60 kmph. For hilly areas, you will probably end up burning a full tank every 100 kilometres.

Check updated fuel prices in Sri Lanka here.

How to rent a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka?

For your Sri Lanka tuktuk rental, you will need a copy of your passport. All you have to do is, go online to the Tuktuk Rental website, fill in your details, make your payment and your tuktuk will be ready for you!

Don’t forget my coupon code “AVANTIKA” for a 5% discount on the Tuktuk Rental website!

Is it safe to drive in Sri Lanka?

The simple answer is yes. Don’t forget to follow the rules and have your street smartness cap on to follow the lead of how local drivers drive and you’ll be good to go!

How much to hire a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka?

Renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka price with Tuktuk Rental is usually 20 USD/ day, with extra add-ons to choose from. However, during peak season, renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka cost might be different.

Do you need a license to drive a tuktuk?

Yes, indeed. You need a special Sri Lankan driving permit to drive a tuktuk in Sri Lanka. You cannot be driving in Sri Lanka with an Indian license. You cannot even use your UK driving licence in Sri Lanka, or any other national or international driving license for that matter.

Is there anything else about driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka you would like to know?