Driving in Chile vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Chile and Sri Lanka, understanding their unique regulations and customs is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and differing lane usages. Discover how these driving practices impact safety and adaptability in each country, enhancing your travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
chile:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay