Driving in Poland vs. Sri Lanka: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Poland and Sri Lanka, distinct driving customs and regulations emerge. From varied lane usages and speed limits to unique signaling practices, these disparities play a crucial role in ensuring safe travels. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for any international driver seeking to maintain safety on foreign terrain.
Lanes
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | 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 sometimes colored pavement. | 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
poland:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
poland:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
poland:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
poland:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
poland:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
poland:
20 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
poland:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
poland:
70 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
140 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
poland:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
poland:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Signals a change to green is imminent. | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | Yes, for all turns and lane changes |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Polish; symbols are standard. | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border. | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
sri lanka:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
sri lanka:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
poland:
Signal when exiting.
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
sri lanka:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
sri lanka:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
sri lanka:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
sri lanka:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
sri lanka:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
sri lanka:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
poland:
Triangular with red border.
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
sri lanka:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
sri lanka:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
sri lanka:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
sri lanka:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
poland:
Prohibited.
sri lanka:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit. | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every year. | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
sri lanka:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
sri lanka:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
poland:
Mandatory every year.
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
sri lanka:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
sri lanka:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
sri lanka:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
sri lanka:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
sri lanka:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
sri lanka:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently. | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial. | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
poland:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
poland:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
poland:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
sri lanka:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
sri lanka:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
sri lanka:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
sri lanka:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
sri lanka:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
sri lanka:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 997 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 981 or through your insurance provider. | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
poland:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
poland:
997
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Poland | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points apply. | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
sri lanka:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.
sri lanka:
Possible if fines are not paid