Driving in Germany vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
Welcome to our insightful comparison of driving regulations between Germany and Sri Lanka. Explore the notable distinctions in road etiquette, speed restrictions, and lane usage to ensure your journey remains secure abroad. Understanding these unique aspects will help you navigate the roads safely and confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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 lane. | 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
germany:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
germany:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
germany:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 | Common | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
germany:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | 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
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
germany:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 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
germany:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay