Driving in Afghanistan vs. Cambodia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Cambodia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From speed limits and road markings to alcohol tolerance, these nations differ significantly in approach. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring safe navigation and compliance while journeying abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
cambodia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
cambodia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
cambodia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
cambodia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
cambodia:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Khmer and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
cambodia:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use as means of communication |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Strict and substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
cambodia:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
cambodia:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, on the spot payment |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within a specified period |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period