Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Uzbekistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, travelers will encounter notable contrasts in traffic regulations and practices. From distinct driving sides to varying speed limits, understanding these nuances is essential for a safe journey. Prepare yourself with insights into lane usage, documentation requirements, and alcohol limits to ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | N/A |
Driving Side
sri lanka:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
sri lanka:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 100 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used more frequently in rural areas | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
sri lanka:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
sri lanka:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
uzbekistan:
102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sri lanka:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines