Everything You Need To Know Before Renting & Driving A Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka
As we were planning our next adventure, the idea of navigating ourselves around Sri Lanka’s winding roads, lush tea plantations and golden beaches in a tuk-tuk caught our attention, and we knew we had to try it. As daunting as it may sound, this really was the adventure we were looking for, something that we could use to shape our own journey around a country we didn’t know much about. In the end we didn’t just rent a tuk-tuk for transportation - it became our tiny adventure vehicle, immersing us into the raw local life and culture of Sri Lanka.
If you’ve been looking and dreaming of a unique adventure or way to explore this wild drop of land in the Indian Ocean then you’ve found the right place. Driving past wild monkeys, monitor lizards and the occasional elephant, you’ll create unforgettable memories and see a side to Sri Lanka that not all tourists get to see.
In this blog we’ll explore how to rent a tuk-tuk, everything you need to know beforehand and why we think Tuktuk Rental is by far the best company for your adventure: with their custom app, 24/7 roadside support, top notch insurance and a deep love to help the local community.
Contents
Preparation: What You Need to Know Before Renting a Tuk-Tuk
Renting a tuk-tuk was easy! The team at Tuktuk Rental handled everything, from insurance to licenses, so we could focus on planning our route and bucket list adventures.
Documents & Licensing
In order to drive a three-wheeler you’ll need to have a valid driver’s license in your home country, you can then use this to apply for your international driving license for Sri Lanka. The great thing about renting with Tuktuk Rental is that they have you covered (in every way), the team will sort all the documents you need and the vehicle insurance is also included.
When we arrived they had our Sri Lankan three-wheel license waiting for us which is a piece of card that you need to keep safe. Tip: Bring a plastic wallet to keep it safe
You’ll also need your personal Travel Insurance for your trip, we recommend SafteyWing - insurance for travellers.
Choosing the Right Tuk-Tuk
Imagine cruising down the iconic B35 highway, the sun is shining, the wind is rushing through your hair and your passing wild elephants… all from your own tuk-tuk! This is the experience we signed up for and Sri Lanka did not disappoint!
To make your journey even more special, at Tuktuk Rental you can choose what model is right for you: convertible to get a suntan, surf rack to catch some waves at Weligama or perhaps a cooler to share a beer with newly made friends at Sigiriya. Whatever you need, the team is ready to help you, travelling with kids? No problem you can request seatbelts for peace of mind.
Budgeting
Fuelling our tuk was ridiculously cheap, a full tank cost around £5 and kept us going for hours! The rental pricing is straightforward and you can find more information over on their website.
Travel App Setup
Before you go make sure to download Tuktuk Rental’s app, a hub of everything you need, from an interactive map showing you all the attractions plus locations of fellow travellers to meet like minded adventurers.
We used the app to help plan our road trip, we loved that it had some off the beaten track adventures pinned that we hadn’t even heard of! Along our route the app helped us discover Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, a lesser known sister attraction to Sigiriya.
Picking Up Your Tiny Adventure Vehicle
We have to admit we were pretty nervous to pick up our tuk, with anticipation rising we headed to the Negombo office which is conveniently placed next to the International airport. It’s also important to note here you can choose different pick up locations all across Sri Lanka, allowing you to fit a tuk into any trip!
Tuk-Tuk Driving Lesson
The team made us feel at ease and the nerves soon dissipated as our red tuk rolled around the corner. Each driver has a comprehensive lesson before they’re set free, these are around twenty minutes but you can always request longer.
Excited to learn how to drive a tuk tuk? Book today with our discount code KandM
We set off onto the vibrant roads and wound our way to a quiet backstreet. Here Mike got into the driver’s seat ready to learn the ropes. It didn’t take long before we grasped the basics and were trundling around confidently. Driving back to the office along the main road, we had our first encounter with Sri Lanka’s buses, they're big, loud and kind of terrifying as they honk. After two months of driving we now realise the honking from the buses is actually useful and can warn you they’re about to overtake.
We finished the lesson and were given a full rundown of everything else we needed to know: how to fill up petrol and oil, where the spare tyre was, how to roll up the rain covers and what to do in an emergency.
On the Road: During Your Trip
We soon learnt driving a tuk-tuk isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about the unexpected turns, local smiles and feeling of freedom. We used Tuktuk Rental’s travel app to help us find hidden waterfalls, hikes and more that we would never have found otherwise! What will always stick with us is the small interactions that are so fleeting but prominent in showing why Sri Lanka was our favourite country during our 8 month backpacking trip.
Tuktuk Rental Travel App
Everything you need is in this app. You can find and message other travellers, receive updates from the team, plus see attractions, gas stations and mechanics across Sri Lanka to help you plan your route. One thing that we struggled with was meeting like-minded people on the road, however, when we had the tuk we had a sense of community. We would see another rental and wave or pull over for a chat, it was always great to glance at the app to see if anyone was in the area to connect with.
Road Support Services
Tuktuk Rental provides assistance for breakdowns or emergencies through their amazing team. Luckily, we didn’t break down but we did have an indicator stop working, we contacted the team and they directed us to the nearest mechanic. The fix was quick and the company actually pays for any maintenance needed on the road; they’ll add the cost onto your initial deposit.
Fuelling and Maintenance
Fuelling up your vehicle is easy in Sri Lanka. Petrol stations are easy to come by (you can find them on the app) and somehow they just seemed to pop up when we needed them. We found Ceypetco to offer the best prices however fuel is cheap in Sri Lanka everywhere. If you do ever find yourself running low, don’t panic, they have a reserve tank which you can use just in case!
Taking care of your tuk-tuk is just as important as fuelling it up. These vehicles are owned by local Sri Lankan families, so treating them with respect is really important. Before every drive, we made it a little ritual to check the oil, tires, and brake fluid. Every 1,000 kilometres, you need to take it to the garage for greasing. It’s ridiculously cheap (we paid £4.86), so there’s no excuse to skip this important maintenance!
Tips for Tourists Driving In Sri Lanka
Overcoming the learning curve for driving a tuk-tuk may seem daunting but this blog is about convincing you to get outside and expanding your comfort zone. You will have the most epic adventure and once you get the hang of driving the tuk you’ll soon realise you’ve made the best decision, we both ended up loving driving.
Minimise driving in the dark: street cows, bikes with no lights and fast lorries are common!
Take it slow! Stick to the speed limits (40km/h for tuk-tuks)
Download offline Google Maps
Buses are king on the road in Sri Lanka, they go fast, overtake and stop suddenly. As you gain experience on the road you’ll learn there is a flow to the traffic.
Put down your rain covers when parking to avoid animals such as monkeys getting inside
Buy a padlock for your bags if you plan to leave them in the vehicle while you explore
Get a local Sim Card, we chose Dialog
It can get cold in the back especially in areas such as Ella, so pack a jumper
Enjoy the drive, smile at locals, stop at street vendors and soak up the good vibes
Excited to learn how to drive a tuk tuk? Book today with our discount code KandM
Why We Love TukTuk Rental
Community Impact
Every tuk is owned by a local family. When you rent from Tuktuk Rental, you’re directly supporting Sri Lankan communities. Knowing our rental was helping the community made the experience even more meaningful.
Customer Experience
We loved the confidence of 24/7 support. We knew a whole team was there ready to help us out if needed. Every time we contacted the main hub everyone was happy to help and it’s a super smooth process. They have two numbers one for emergencies and mechanics and one for trip planning, you can either call or WhatsApp making it super convenient.
Freedom of Travel
A tuk-tuk offers the perfect way to explore Sri Lanka at your own pace. You can get off the beaten track, interact more with locals and create a journey perfect for you! We loved exploring the hidden beaches that we had all to ourselves.
Why You Should Rent A Tuk-Tuk In Sri Lanka
Exploring Sri Lanka by tuk-tuk was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. It’s not just a mode of transport, it's an adventure and epic road trip.
TukTuk Rental made it effortless, fun, and stress-free. If you’ve been on the fence about it, let this be your sign to book this trip of a lifetime, plus we think it’s even better to road trip with friends so why not convince them as well!
Ready to hit the road? Use our discount code K&MTUK when booking and let the road trip begin!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
*Some links in this article are affiliate meaning we may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you! It helps grow the blog so thank you for supporting us.
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