Driving Differences: Barbados vs. Sri Lanka Explained
When navigating the roads of Barbados and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience behind the wheel. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | 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
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
barbados:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
sri lanka:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay