Driving in China vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the unique aspects of road regulations in China and Sri Lanka reveals intriguing contrasts in traffic practices. While China drives on the right, Sri Lanka operates on the left, shaping distinct lane usage and overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safety and compliance for travelers navigating both landscapes.
Lanes
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed when safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
china:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
sri lanka:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
sri lanka:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | 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 | Chinese; symbols also used | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
sri lanka:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 119 or contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay