Driving in Slovenia vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Slovenia and Sri Lanka, you'll encounter significant variances in traffic regulations and driving practices. From which side of the road to navigate to speed limits and lane usage, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Equip yourself with essential insights to drive confidently and safely in both countries.
Lanes
| Slovenia | 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | 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: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
slovenia:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
slovenia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovenia:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
slovenia:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
slovenia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
slovenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
slovenia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovenia:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
130 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovenia | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovenian; 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
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
slovenia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
slovenia:
Prohibited
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovenia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovenia | 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
slovenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
slovenia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside checks conducted | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines; varies based on offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
slovenia:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
slovenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1987 for AMZS | 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
slovenia:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
slovenia:
113
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovenia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovenia | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, €120 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, €120 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, €250 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 8 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay