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!
Lanes
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
Alcohol
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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