Driving in Madagascar vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
Explore the distinct road regulations and driving practices of Madagascar and Sri Lanka, two unique countries with varied approaches to vehicle operation. From lane usage to speed limits, discover how these differences influence safety and efficiency on their roads, ensuring travelers are well-informed for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
sri lanka:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
sri lanka:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
sri lanka:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
sri lanka:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
sri lanka:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
sri lanka:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
sri lanka:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay