January 2026 Tuktuk driving documents update

We've received an email from Tuktuk Rental about the documents required to legally drive a tuktuk on your Sri Lanka trip. This won't make a difference for many people. But with various, incorrect, claims around the legality of renting a tuktuk in Sri Lanka we thought it was important to post this update as its own thing so everyone will see it.

Necessary documents for driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka:

1. Valid Driving Licence from travellers home country.

2. International Driving Permit (IDP) 1949 Geneva Convention Standard - Obtained from traveller’s home country. 

3. A Sri Lankan Recognition / Covering Permit issued by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC)

Key update:

• As of January 2026, the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) will only process local recognition/covering permits for foreign drivers who hold a valid home country licence + a physical International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

• AAC will accept only physical IDPs issued by the home country and will not process digital International Driving Permits (E-IDPs).

• Travellers will need to ensure they have all three (03) documents in hand when driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka.

Tuktuk Rental can get the AAC permit for you, for a small fee that is 100% worth it. You just need to provide the other documents to them, scans of them, ahead of time.

Having all 3 on you to avoid any issues is very important. We have been pulled over once in the 3 months we spent driving tuktuks in Sri Lanka and had no issues. But always ensure you have all the paperwork you need.