Sri Lanka is one of the many countries that have joined the Vienna convention on road traffic. This convention has been ratified by 73 countries to date. This is actually a treaty that was designed to promote road safety and to initiate international traffic rules between certain parties that are contracted to the treaty. This contract was finalized in Vienna on November 8, 1986 at the United Nations Economic and Social Council Conference on Road Traffic. The importance of this treaty is less known throughout the world, but it is worth noting that it makes traveling on vacation much easier for all tourists who visit the country. Sri Lanka basically follows standardized road signs similar to those in the UK that have been slightly modified to suit the localized culture of the island. They are quite easy to follow even for a foreign driver. Traffic is manageable if you avoid rush hour and sometimes driving can be a joy.

The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic Treaty allows tourists from certain countries to drive around the country using their local driver’s licenses for a period of three months from the date their VISA is issued. Although Sri Lanka has a good public transport network, the hassle and stress of traveling on a Sri Lankan bus or train would be too much for a foreigner and driving alone or renting a car is recommended for the period of stay. There are many reliable car rental services available in the city that help foreign tourists seek guidance on the particular vehicle to rent based on the length of their stay. This process could even be done in advance during the planning stage of a trip where a particular vehicle could be booked and insured through an online reservation system. If the tourist is extending their stay on the island, the process is basic and simple; they would simply have to convert their local driver’s license to a Sri Lankan driver’s license by providing the necessary documents to the Department of Motor Traffic. This process can be done in one day.

The first thing you need to do before you leave for your trip to Sri Lanka is to look for car rental services online. The Internet will be your guide for this. There are many companies that are available to help you. It will be better if you book a car online as this will save you some time and you will be able to enjoy the country more.