Driving in Luxembourg vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
When exploring the distinct road rules and regulations of Luxembourg and Sri Lanka, notable contrasts emerge. From driving on the right in Luxembourg to the left in Sri Lanka, each country features unique lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol regulations that significantly impact travel safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not typically used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used. | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
luxembourg:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
luxembourg:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
luxembourg:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
luxembourg:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
luxembourg:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
luxembourg:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
luxembourg:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
luxembourg:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
luxembourg:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
luxembourg:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 75 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 75 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
75 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
75 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
luxembourg:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
luxembourg:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
luxembourg:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Luxembourg | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
luxembourg:
Not used in Luxembourg
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
luxembourg:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
luxembourg:
French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
luxembourg:
Triangular with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
luxembourg:
Not typically allowed
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
luxembourg:
Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must have a valid national license | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; regular intervals | 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
luxembourg:
Accepted; must have a valid national license
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
luxembourg:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
luxembourg:
Mandatory; regular intervals
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
luxembourg:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
luxembourg:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
luxembourg:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Luxembourg | 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
luxembourg:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
luxembourg:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
luxembourg:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
luxembourg:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
luxembourg:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
luxembourg:
Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Test Refusal
luxembourg:
Results in license suspension
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
luxembourg:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or automobile club | 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
luxembourg:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
luxembourg:
113
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
luxembourg:
Contact your insurance provider or automobile club
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
luxembourg:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
luxembourg:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Luxembourg | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €145 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €145 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; severe penalties | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines often collected immediately | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually a specific period | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
luxembourg:
Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
luxembourg:
Up to €145
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
luxembourg:
Up to €145
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
luxembourg:
Varies; severe penalties
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
luxembourg:
Yes; fines often collected immediately
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
luxembourg:
Varies; usually a specific period
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay