Driving in the Bahamas vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
When comparing the driving regulations of the Bahamas and Sri Lanka, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in road etiquette and signage. From speed limits to the use of bus lanes, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Prepare to navigate these unique driving landscapes with confidence!
Lanes
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
sri lanka:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahamas:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 119 or contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot