Joanna James
There are several things that those intending to drive in the beautiful nation of Sri Lanka should know. These would include the necessity of a permit and that driving is on the left; read on to find out more.
If you desire to drive in Sri Lanka, just holding a driver's license will not be enough; even possessing an international driver's license will not make you eligible to drive in the island nation. You must either acquire a temporary driving permit from the Department of Motor Traffic or obtain an endorsement of your International Driving Permit from the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka happens to be one of the countries where driving is done on the left. If you are unaccustomed to driving on this side of the road, it may take a little time before you are comfortable doing so; you will also adjust to the fact that the steering wheel is on the car's right side.
Colombo's traffic will not be at the same level of intensity as in various other cities in Asia such as Hanoi, Jakarta, Mumbai or some Chinese cities; there are times however where traffic jams do occur, especially during rush hour. Cars, scooters, tuk-tuks, trucks and bicycles all use the roads and they may not stay in specific lanes. If you would rather not drive in Colombo, you will find that it is possible to hire cars with drivers who know the local roads well.
You will find that the major roads will be tarmacked, have clear markings and are generally well maintained. However, you may find that some of the more remote roads are rather narrow and therefore you must be careful when encountering approaching vehicles. When it comes to renting self-drive cars in Sri Lanka a specialist to consider would be Malkey Rent A Car which offers various vehicles to choose from to drive in the city or further afield.
Sri Lanka features several highways, sometimes referred to as expressways, where tolls are charged from the vehicles that use them. You will find that these roads happen to be great to travel on and are meticulously maintained which means that you can travel on them at a decent speed. You will encounter toll booths at entrances as well as exits on the highway, where you may pay your fee in cash.
You will find that in Sri Lanka, many drivers sound their horns often, and unlike in some countries, it doesn't necessarily indicate that you are breaking a road rule or doing something incorrect! Often, the drivers of vehicles will honk just to inform you of their presence; for instance, some Sri Lankan drivers will honk to show that they intend to overtake you as well.
As you will find different kinds of vehicles moving at varying speeds on Sri Lankan roads, it is not surprising that overtaking happens very often. If other drivers think that you are driving too slowly, they may often immediately overtake you, possibly on either side of the road. However, as you gain experience in driving in Sri Lanka, you will gain confidence and soon you may be the one doing the overtaking and on the proper side!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
