Driving in Lithuania vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Lithuania and Sri Lanka. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Lithuania versus left in Sri Lanka—as well as speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
lithuania:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lithuania:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lithuania:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, issued by police. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | 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 | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
lithuania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Lithuania | 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
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
sri lanka:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
lithuania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lithuania:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot