Sri Lankan Road Signs
A comprehensive guide based on The Motor Traffic Act.
Understanding Road Signs
Mastering road signs is critical not just for passing your exam, but for your safety on the road. In Sri Lanka, road signs are standardized into three main categories. Understanding the shape and color of a sign can tell you its meaning even before you read the symbol.
Warning Signs
Usually triangular with a red border. These warn you of hazards ahead.
CURVE TO LEFT
CURVE TO RIGHT
DOUBLE CURVE, FIRST TO LEFT
DOUBLE CURVE, FIRST TO RIGHT
STEEP DESCENT
STEEP ASCENT
ROAD NARROWS
ROAD NARROWS ON LEFT
ROAD NARROWS ON RIGHT
DRAWBRIDGE
QUAYSIDE OR RIVERBANK
UNEVEN ROAD
BUMP
DIP
SLIPPERY ROAD
LOOSE GRAVEL
FALLING ROCKS
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
CHILDREN
CYCLISTS
ANIMALS
WILD ANIMALS
ROADWORKS
TRAFFIC LIGHT
INTERSECTION (SECONDARY ROAD)
INTERSECTION (SIDE ROAD)
JOINING SIDE ROAD (LEFT)
JOINING SIDE ROAD (RIGHT)
STOP SIGN AHEAD
GIVE WAY AHEAD
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
ROUNDABOUT
LEVEL CROSSING (WITH BARRIERS)
LEVEL CROSSING (NO BARRIERS)
SINGLE TRACK LEVEL CROSSING
MULTI-TRACK LEVEL CROSSING
SOFT VERGES
FOG
ACCIDENT
TUNNEL
OTHER DANGERS
Regulatory Signs
Signs that give an order. These are divided into Prohibitory, Restrictive, Mandatory, and Priority signs.
Prohibitory Signs (Must Not Do)
NO ENTRY
ALL VEHICLES PROHIBITED
NO MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCEPT MOTORCYCLES)
NO TRUCKS
NO TRAILERS
NO TRACTORS
NO MOTORCYCLES
NO MOPEDS
NO BICYCLES
NO ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES
NO HANDCARTS
NO PEDESTRIANS
NO MOTOR VEHICLES
NO LEFT TURN
NO RIGHT TURN
NO U-TURN
NO OVERTAKING
NO OVERTAKING BY TRUCKS
NO HORNS
NO PARKING
NO PARKING AND STANDING
Restrictive Signs (Limits)
WIDTH LIMIT
HEIGHT LIMIT
WEIGHT LIMIT
WEIGHT LIMIT ON ONE AXLE
MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT
MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT ENDS
Mandatory Signs (Must Do)
PROCEED STRAIGHT
TURN LEFT AHEAD
TURN RIGHT AHEAD
TURN LEFT
TURN RIGHT
PASS ONTO LEFT
PASS ONTO RIGHT
ROUNDABOUT
Priority Signs
STOP
GIVE WAY
PRIORITY ROAD
END OF PRIORITY ROAD
GIVE WAY TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC
PRIORITY OVER ONCOMING TRAFFIC
Informative Signs
Signs that provide information about directions, facilities, and road conditions.