Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Tanzania: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Sri Lanka and Tanzania, understanding their unique traffic regulations and behaviors is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements, with Tanzania featuring dedicated cycle lanes and mandatory emergency equipment, while Sri Lanka emphasizes hand signals in rural areas. Stay informed for safer travels!
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sri lanka:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in Tanzania |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used more frequently in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
tanzania:
Common