Driving in Lebanon vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Insights
The driving landscapes of Lebanon and Sri Lanka present intriguing contrasts that are essential for travelers seeking to navigate safely abroad. Key highlights include differing sides of the road, speed limits, and traffic regulations. Understanding these distinctions ensures a smoother journey and enhanced road awareness in both countries.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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: 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
lebanon:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
lebanon:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | 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 through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay