Driving in Mozambique vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Mozambique and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, overtaking rules, and lane usage, all of which significantly impact road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centers the road for no-passing zones. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed when safe. |
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
mozambique:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
mozambique:
Not allowed.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 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
mozambique:
60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mozambique:
40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mozambique:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mozambique | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; 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
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
mozambique:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mozambique | 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 | Annually | Yes, proof required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mozambique:
Annually
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mozambique:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mozambique | 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
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
mozambique:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
mozambique:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 121 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
mozambique:
121
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mozambique:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mozambique | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mozambique:
Fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
mozambique:
Fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay