Driving in Afghanistan vs. Algeria: Key Safety Differences
Discover the driving contrasts between Afghanistan and Algeria, where unique regulations and practices shape the road experience. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol regulations, all of which are crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Understanding these variations is essential for any traveler navigating unfamiliar territories, enhancing both safety and confidence on the roads.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited except on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not applicable |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Not applicable |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not applicable |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Not applicable |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
algeria:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
algeria:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
algeria:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
algeria:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
algeria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
algeria:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
algeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
algeria:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
algeria:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
algeria:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Usually triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
algeria:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Usually not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
algeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
algeria:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Checkpoints used especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
algeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 1548 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 17 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Contact insurance provider or auto club |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
algeria:
1548
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
algeria:
17
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
algeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
algeria:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Algeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines imposed for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines imposed, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; also through post or bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically must be paid promptly |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly