Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Sri Lanka and Vanuatu, travelers encounter distinct regulations and practices that play a crucial role in ensuring safe journeys. From driving sides—left in Sri Lanka and right in Vanuatu—to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, understanding these nuances is vital for a secure experience abroad.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
sri lanka:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
sri lanka:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
vanuatu:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
sri lanka:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
sri lanka:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations