Driving in Japan vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Japan and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that impact their experience. Key differences include lane usage, speed regulations, and alcohol limits, with Japan imposing stricter restrictions. Understanding these variations ensures safer journeys and enhances overall travel experiences in these unique countries.
Lanes
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; 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
japan:
Not used in Japan
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
japan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
sri lanka:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines 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
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay