Road Rules and Traffic Regulations
Road rules and traffic regulations
This domain tests the rules that keep traffic predictable on Sri Lankan roads: keeping left, speed limits, overtaking, junctions and roundabouts, pedestrian priority, following distance, and the offences that automatically fail a rider. The written paper uses everyday riding situations, so learn the rule and the reason behind it.
Keep left and choose a safe position
Sri Lanka drives on the left. Ride in the left-hand lane and keep close to the left edge without hugging potholes or drains. Do not weave between lanes. Before changing position, check mirrors, signal, and turn your head to check the blind spot.
Speed, following and overtaking
Unless a sign says otherwise, the general limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 70 km/h on open roads; always obey a lower posted limit. Keep at least a two-second gap in dry weather and double it in rain. Overtake on the right. You may pass on the left only when the vehicle ahead is signalling to turn right. Never overtake on a bend, hill crest, narrow bridge, pedestrian crossing or junction.
Junctions and roundabouts
At a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating, which approaches from your right. At any junction, slow down, look right-left-right, and proceed only when clear. Signs and road markings override general rules.
Impairment and distraction
The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an offence. Hand-held mobile phone use while riding is prohibited.
Worked example
You approach a roundabout and see a car already on it coming from your right. You want to enter quickly. The correct action is to slow or stop and let the car pass. The car is circulating from your right, so it has priority; entering would cause a collision and is a test fail.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating amber as "speed up" instead of "stop if safe".
- Overtaking on the left because traffic keeps left.
- Assuming a zebra crossing gives way to vehicles.
- Ignoring a continuous centre line.