Driving in Indonesia vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road travel between Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Our comparison highlights critical distinctions, such as lane usage, speed regulations, and the approach to emergency services. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience while navigating the diverse landscapes of both countries.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
indonesia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 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 in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay