Sri Lanka car hire

Mini (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Sri Lanka.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

When you rent a car in Sri Lanka, you will need to drive on the left side and overtake on the right side of the road. Unless otherwise signposted, you need to give way to cars on the right. On newer highways, you will find tolls that are priced depending on the distance traveled and the car category, with prices starting at 100 LKR (0.57 USD). Road rules that must be adhered to are the prohibition of mobile phone use while driving and the requirement to wear seatbelts at all times.

If you plan to rent a car in Sri Lanka, the minimum age for drivers is 23 years old, and they must have had a valid driver’s license for two years previously. Any drivers under 25 years old will incur a young driver surcharge. You will need to get your driver’s license validated by the Automobile Association in Sri Lanka, which can be obtained by your car hire agency for an additional fee.

You will find that the average price of petrol is 164 LKR (0.93 USD) per liter, or the equivalent of 3.52 USD per gallon, when you rent a car in Sri Lanka. Because petrol is regulated by the government, petrol prices are the same at various petrol stations, so you do not have to shop around. Many of the island’s petrol stations are open 24h and offer self-service.

When driving on Sri Lankan roads, you will need to follow the national speed limits. In residential areas, the speed limit is 56 km/h (34 mph), and on national roads, you can travel up to 72 km/h (44 mph). On highways, the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h (74 mph).