Driving in Denmark vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a journey through Denmark and Sri Lanka, understanding the contrasting road regulations and driving customs is crucial for ensuring a secure experience. Notably, Denmark adheres to right-side travel, while Sri Lanka drives on the left. Additionally, speed limits and vehicle documentation requirements highlight significant disparities that travelers must navigate for safe travels.
Lanes
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | 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 often green or red colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | 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
denmark:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
denmark:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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, for minor offenses. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
Hand Signals: Common Usage
denmark:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
sri lanka:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | 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
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
denmark:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay