Driving in South Africa vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of South Africa and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Explore this comparison to uncover essential insights that will enhance your road experience in each country.
Lanes
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay