Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
As you prepare for your journey, understanding the nuances of road regulations in Sri Lanka and Tunisia is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. From driving on opposing sides of the road to differing speed limits and traffic signals, these key distinctions can significantly impact your travel. Navigate with confidence by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving contrasts.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Not typically permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | N/A |
Driving Side
sri lanka:
Left
tunisia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
tunisia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not typically used |
| 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 | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
tunisia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
sri lanka:
Not allowed
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sri lanka:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tunisia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay