Driving in Malaysia vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When venturing on the roads of Malaysia or Sri Lanka, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights key distinctions such as lane markings, speed limits, and documentation requirements, allowing travelers to navigate confidently and adhere to local norms. Stay informed to drive safely in unfamiliar territories!
Lanes
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed when safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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 |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
sri lanka:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Documentation
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot