Driving a Tuk Tuk in Sri Lanka: 12 Tips for First-Timers

Driving a tuk tuk in Sri Lanka is easier than it looks and more fun than almost anything else you'll do on the island. These twelve tips will have you driving like you belong there.

1. 1Drive on the left. Sri Lanka follows left-hand traffic — easy if you're from the UK, India or Australia; take it slow the first hour if you're not.
2. 2The horn is a language, not an insult. A light tap means 'I'm here' — use it on blind bends, when overtaking and passing pedestrians. Locals do it constantly and friendly.
3. 3Master the hill start. Tuk tuks are manual (except the Electric). Practise the clutch-and-throttle balance on a gentle slope during your lesson before tackling the hill country.
4. 4Give buses the road. Sri Lankan buses drive assertively and stop for no one. When one's coming, ease over and let it pass — never try to hold your line.
5. 5Watch for dogs, cows and the occasional elephant. Animals wander onto rural roads. Slow down through villages and never crowd an elephant — stop and wait.
6. 6Avoid driving after dark on rural roads. Lighting is poor, hazards are hard to see, and it's simply not worth it. Plan to arrive before dusk.
7. 7Fuel up when you can in remote areas. Stations are common on main routes but sparse in the hills and the north — top up when you're near one.
8. 8Keep your documents on you. Licence, physical IDP and Recognition Permit should travel with you, ideally in a waterproof bag.
9. 9Police checkpoints are routine. Be polite, smile, show your documents when asked. With the correct paperwork you have nothing to worry about.
10. 10In the monsoon, respect the water. Roads flood fast. Don't drive through water you can't see the bottom of, and slow right down on wet bends.
11. 11Park sensibly. Tuk tuks fit almost anywhere, but keep out of the way of buses and don't block narrow lanes.
12. 12Relax and enjoy it. The occasional wrong turn is part of the adventure — and often leads to the best discoveries.