Driving Differences: Netherlands vs Sri Lanka Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safety. This comparison between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka reveals significant contrasts: while the Dutch drive on the right and prioritize bicycle lanes, Sri Lanka's left-side driving and unique overtaking rules highlight the need for adaptation. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey!
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in netherlands is the Right Side of the road
90
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in netherlands is 90
2.05 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for netherlands is 2.05 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left | |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | 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. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. | N/A | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | 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
netherlands:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
netherlands:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100-130 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: Presence | Yes | No | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Sri Lanka | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
netherlands:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not allowed | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | International Driving Permit required | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Yes, proof required | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Netherlands | 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safety. This comparison between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka reveals significant contrasts: while the Dutch drive on the right and prioritize bicycle lanes, Sri Lanka's left-side driving and unique overtaking rules highlight the need for adaptation. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey!
Alcohol
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 119 or contact local police | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 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
netherlands:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Netherlands | Sri lanka | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay