Rent Cars Colombo advises you to make sure that your International Driving License is current and always kept handy with you. This license can double as your identification card in an emergency.
The International Driving Permit (IDP) is recognised worldwide as a valuable document identifying motorists as legally-licensed drivers. The IDP may prevent any inconvenience when renting a car or when driving in a foreign country where English is not commonly spoken. In such situations, drivers may find themselves handicapped by language barriers. The IDP contains translations of terms used in various international languages that would enable drivers to communicate with car rental companies.

The IDP is also a useful form of identification as it contains a photograph of the driver. It is highly recommended that the following people apply for IDP. This includes people who are going to a country for reasons other than touring purposes and staying for a period longer than 3 months and hold social visit passes for more than 3 months. However, they should first contact the respective embassies or consulate offices of their country of destination to obtain more information on driving license requirements.

• The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) is the only authorized body in Sri Lanka to issue the 1949 Convention International Driving Permit.

• Internet surfers are advised against applying for IDP’s that are being sold illegally on the web. The sellers of these forged documents are not only breaking the law but are also endangering the lives of road users.

• Those who wish to obtain an IDP for travel abroad are advised to apply for one through the AAC.
Eligibility of IDP Applicant

• The applicant must hold a valid Sri Lankan driving license.

• Permits cannot be issued to holders of foreign driving licenses. They must submit their application in the country of issue of their national driving license.

• Foreign driving license holders who wish to convert their license to a Sri Lankan driving license are advised to first contact the Deputy Commissioner of Motor Traffic, Dept. of Motor Traffic, Werahera Branch, Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka. Phone: 2545891. Rent Cars Colombo suggests that you get in touch with this Dept. for this type of help.

• The applicant will be required to fill a form and produce the following documents:
(1) National driving license
(2) Passport
(3) Photocopy of passport and national DL
(4) 2 Passport sized photographs

If the applicant's driving license is in any language other than English, it will be necessary to obtain a translation of the same preferably from the relevant embassy of that country. Once all the above requirements are complied with, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will issue a temporary license for a maximum period of one year. A fee will be levied for the above. Rent Cars Colombo requests you to keep your International Driver’s License in proper order at all times.