Driving in Ecuador vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
When venturing on the roads of Ecuador and Sri Lanka, understanding their unique traffic regulations is paramount for a safe journey. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides—right in Ecuador and left in Sri Lanka—as well as distinct speed limits and lane usage rules. Familiarizing yourself with these variances can enhance your travel experience and ensure safety on unfamiliar routes.
Lanes
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 | Allowed 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. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
ecuador:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ecuador:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ecuador | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| 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 white background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
sri lanka:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
sri lanka:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ecuador:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | 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 | Annual inspection is mandatory | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas. | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
sri lanka:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
sri lanka:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
sri lanka:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
sri lanka:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
sri lanka:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
sri lanka:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
sri lanka:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
sri lanka:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
sri lanka:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
sri lanka:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
sri lanka:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
sri lanka:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
sri lanka:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
sri lanka:
Possible if fines are not paid