Saudi Arabia vs. Sri Lanka: Driving Safety Insights
When exploring the roads of Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that greatly impact their journeys. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique signaling methods. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience while navigating each country's unique traffic landscape.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| 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: 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
saudi arabia:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
saudi arabia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
saudi arabia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
sri lanka:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
saudi arabia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 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: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot