Driving in Sri Lanka vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, distinct distinctions in regulations and driving practices emerge. From the right-hand driving in the UAE to Sri Lanka's left-side orientation, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Explore the vital contrasts in speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette to enhance your driving experience.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
sri lanka:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
sri lanka:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sri lanka:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| 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 English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
sri lanka:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay