Driving in Slovakia vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Slovakia and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their experiences. Key contrasts include driving sides—right in Slovakia and left in Sri Lanka—as well as differing speed limits and road etiquette. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Slovakia | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 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
slovakia:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
slovakia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
slovakia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovakia:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovakia | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovak; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
slovakia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and regular inspections required | 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovakia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovakia | 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
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovakia | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
Limits: General Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Roundabouts
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service | 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
slovakia:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
slovakia:
158
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovakia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovakia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 to €150, points in some regions | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100 to €200, points in some regions | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 to €250, points on license possible | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
slovakia:
Common
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay