Driving Differences: Georgia vs. Sri Lanka Explained
When exploring the roads of Georgia and Sri Lanka, understanding their unique driving rules is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Georgia versus the left in Sri Lanka, differing speed limits, and varying lane usage regulations. This comparison highlights crucial insights to enhance your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Georgia | 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often 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 colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three 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
georgia:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
georgia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
georgia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
georgia:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
georgia:
30-50 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; 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
georgia:
Not used
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
georgia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Georgia | 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; proof may be required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Georgia | 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
georgia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
georgia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Georgia | 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 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
georgia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
georgia:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 GEL | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay