Driving in Ireland vs Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations between Ireland and Sri Lanka. From lane markings and speed limits to the nuances of signaling and emergency procedures, this comparison reveals crucial insights for travelers. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating the diverse driving landscapes of these two nations.
Lanes
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed when safe. |
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Ireland | 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
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
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ireland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ireland | 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 | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot