Authorized tourist drivers in Sri Lanka
Every driver who takes tourists around Sri Lanka for hire is meant to be registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Registered drivers — often called authorized tourist drivers or chauffeur guides — are trained, insured for tourist transport and accountable to the tourism board. This page explains what that registration means, how to verify a driver's SLTDA number against the official list, and how to book a driver we've already checked.
Last reviewed August 2026 · Official credential: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
Check a driver's SLTDA registration
Every authorized driver has a registration number in the form SLTDA/ATD/#####. Ask your driver for theirs before you book, then confirm it below or on the official directory. The registered name should match their ID.
Verify an authorized driver
Check a driver's SLTDA registration against Sri Lanka Tourism's official directory, live.
This checks Sri Lanka Tourism's official SLTDA directory in real time. The authoritative source is Sri Lanka Tourism's directory.
What "authorized" actually means
Trained & licensed
Drivers complete a Tourist Driver course at SLITHM, then receive an official Tourist Driver Identity and an SLTDA registration number. Registration is mandatory to drive tourists for hire.
SLTDA vs NTDA
The government SLTDA licence is the official credential; NTDA is a drivers' association many belong to. We explain the difference in our SLTDA vs NTDA guide.
Why it matters
Authorized drivers are insured for tourist transport and accountable to the tourism board — which protects your safety, your insurance cover and your recourse if something goes wrong.
Book one of our licensed drivers
We show a driver's SLTDA or NTDA credential only after we've checked the actual document — no self-declared badges. Here are some of our licensed drivers and guides.
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How to become an authorized tourist driver
Are you a driver? Here's the path to SLTDA registration — and to reaching tourists through us once you're licensed.
- 1
Complete the SLITHM training course
Take the Tourist Driver training course (or the refresher course) run by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management. It covers safety, hospitality and guiding basics for driving tourists.
- 2
Apply for your Tourist Driver Identity
After the course, apply online through the SLTDA licensing service for your Tourist Driver Identity. On approval you're issued an official registration number (SLTDA/ATD/#####).
- 3
Keep it current — renew with a refresher
From 2025, renewing your Tourist Driver Identity requires completing the SLITHM refresher course first. Keep your registration and insurance valid so you stay listed in the official directory.
- 4
List with Private Driver Tours Sri Lanka
Once authorized, register with us to reach tourists directly. We check your SLTDA (or NTDA) document before your certified badge shows, and cross-check your number against the official registry.
Official resources
The authoritative sources for authorized tourist drivers, licensing and entry requirements. Always treat these as the source of truth.
- Authorized Tourist Drivers — official directory— Sri Lanka Tourism (srilanka.travel)
- Register with us (tourist driver registration & renewal)— Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
- Online Tourism Business Licensing Service— SLTDA eServices
- Chauffeur Tourist Guide / Tourist Driver courses— Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) & entry information— Department of Immigration & Emigration
Sri Lanka Tourism hotline: 1912
Authorized tourist drivers — FAQ
What is an authorized tourist driver in Sri Lanka?
An authorized tourist driver (also called a chauffeur guide) is a driver registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to carry tourists. They complete a Tourist Driver training course run by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), then receive an official Tourist Driver Identity and a registration number in the form SLTDA/ATD/#####. Registration is mandatory for anyone driving tourists for hire.
How do I check if a Sri Lankan driver is officially authorized?
Every authorized driver has an SLTDA registration number (SLTDA/ATD/#####). You can confirm a number against the official Sri Lanka Tourism directory, or use the verification box on this page, which checks a regularly-synced copy of that official list. Ask your driver for their number before you book, and match the name shown against their ID.
What is the difference between SLTDA and NTDA?
SLTDA (Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority) is the government regulator that licenses tourist drivers — an SLTDA number is the official credential. NTDA (National Tourist Drivers Association) is a membership association many authorized drivers belong to; it appears in the official listing as the driver's association, but the licence itself is the SLTDA registration. On our platform a driver's badge only appears after we've checked their actual document.
Is an authorized tourist driver the same as a national tour guide?
No. A national (or 'chauffeur') tour guide holds a broader SLTDA guiding licence and can guide at sites; a tourist driver is licensed to drive tourists safely and legally. Many of the best private drivers hold both. If site guiding matters to you, ask for a licensed guide specifically.
Why should I book an authorized driver?
Authorized drivers are trained, insured for tourist transport, and accountable to the SLTDA — which matters for safety, insurance validity and recourse if something goes wrong. Booking an unregistered driver can be cheaper up front but leaves you without those protections.
How does a driver become SLTDA authorized?
They complete the Tourist Driver training (or refresher) course at SLITHM, then apply online for the Tourist Driver Identity through the SLTDA's licensing service. From 2025, renewals also require completing the refresher course. See the steps below.