Driving in Afghanistan vs. Jordan: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations and driving practices of Afghanistan and Jordan, several notable distinctions emerge. From speed limits and lane markings to emergency protocols, each country presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey while navigating the diverse terrains of these nations.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| 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. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
jordan:
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.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Arabic 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
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
afghanistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
jordan:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
jordan:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; fines can be 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 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay