Frequently asked questions

Choose a vehicle and send a reservation request on our booking page, or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm availability and your quote, usually within the hour.

You need your passport and a full driving licence from your home country, plus one of the following: an International Driving Permit valid for the vehicle class, a Sri Lankan driving permit issued by the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), or a DMT conversion certificate. Sri Lankan law requires us to check this before we hand over a self-drive vehicle.

Yes. The Department of Motor Traffic has a counter at Bandaranaike International Airport that issues temporary licences to tourists for light vehicles. You need your passport and visa, your full foreign licence (valid for at least one more year) and a certified English translation if it is not in English. It costs Rs. 2,000 per month of validity, for up to five months. Learner, provisional and temporary licences are not accepted.

Only the hirer and the drivers named in the rental agreement, each with a valid licence and permit. Any damage while an unnamed person is driving is the full responsibility of the hirer.

Yes. All our vehicles are available with an experienced chauffeur, and our vans are chauffeur-driven only. A driver is a great choice for tours, weddings and airport transfers.

Our prices are in US dollars. You can view them in your own currency using the currency menu at the top of every page. Converted prices are a guide, based on recent exchange rates.

Delivery to Bandaranaike International Airport is USD 30, and collection from the airport is USD 30. Delivery and collection at our Negombo office is free.

By bank transfer, Visa or Mastercard. Payment details are sent with your booking confirmation. We never ask for card details on WhatsApp or by email.

Each rental includes a mileage allowance. Luxury vehicles come with 100 km per day or 3,000 km per month. Other vehicles can have 100 km per day or 3,000 km per month, or 150 km per day or 4,500 km per month. Extra kilometres are charged per km. The rate depends on the vehicle and is confirmed with you before your booking is finalised.

Yes, self-drive rentals have a refundable security deposit of USD 500, paid at the start of the rental.

Straight away when you return the vehicle. We inspect it, check the condition, fuel level and mileage against the records made at pick-up, and refund the deposit immediately by bank transfer.

Repairs for damage, missing parts, extra kilometres above your allowance, a fuel shortfall, cleaning if the vehicle is returned very dirty, and any traffic fines during your rental. If there is an accident or damage, the balance is refunded once the matter is settled.

Same-to-same. We record the fuel level when we hand over the vehicle, and you return it with exactly the same amount of fuel.

The shortfall is charged at the current fuel price, together with a refuelling charge where it applies. To avoid this, fill up at a fuel station shortly before returning the vehicle.

The fuel type is shown on each vehicle page and on the dashboard. Hybrids use regular petrol. If you are unsure, ask us before filling up.

Yes, our vehicles have full insurance cover. Claims follow the insurance company's process and the terms of your rental agreement.

Repairs to any damage that costs less than Rs. 100,000 are paid by the hirer. Larger claims follow the insurance company's process, and you must follow the accident steps below for a claim to be accepted.

If the vehicle is driven under the influence of alcohol, by a person not named on the agreement, or for an illegal purpose, the insurance claim can be rejected and the hirer pays the full cost of repairs.

Stop somewhere safe, switch on your hazard lights and call or WhatsApp us straight away on +94 77 364 5880. Tell us where you are and what happened, and send a photo of any warning lights. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will arrange help.

Yes. If your vehicle breaks down through no fault of your own, we will arrange a replacement vehicle. After an accident, the terms in the accident section below apply.

Please don't arrange repairs or replace parts without speaking to us first. Repairs we have not approved may not be refunded.

Every vehicle carries a spare wheel, jack and wheel brace, which we check before each rental. If you can't change the tyre safely, call us.

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Call 119 for the police, or 1990 for an ambulance.
2. Call O Travels immediately on +94 77 364 588
3. Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, the other driver's licence and the number plates.
4. Report the accident to the nearest police station where the law requires it, and get a copy of the report.
5. Don't agree to any private settlement or admit fault before speaking to us.

If the insurance and police process is not followed, the insurance company and O Travels cannot accept responsibility, and the hirer must pay the full cost of the damage.

Yes. If the vehicle is in a garage after an accident, the rent for those days is payable, and a replacement vehicle is not provided during that time.