Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Kuwait Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Afghanistan and Kuwait reveals fascinating contrasts in vehicular practices and safety protocols. From distinct lane markings and speed limits to varying enforcement measures for alcohol consumption, understanding these driving customs is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover how each country prioritizes road safety and etiquette on their unique thoroughfares.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kuwait:
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.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
afghanistan:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days