Kuwait vs Sri Lanka: A Guide to Driving Differences
Kuwait and Sri Lanka present intriguing contrasts in their road regulations and driving habits, emphasizing the importance of understanding local practices for safe navigation. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and emergency protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for a secure and stress-free journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
kuwait:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kuwait:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kuwait:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
sri lanka:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 119 or contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay