Driving in Kenya vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Sri Lanka, understanding the unique traffic regulations and customs is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. This comparison sheds light on these driving nuances, ensuring you're well-prepared for a secure travel experience in both captivating nations.
Lanes
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; 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
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kenya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
sri lanka:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Kenya | 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 | Annual inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot