Driving in Afghanistan vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and Qatar, understanding the distinct regulations and customs can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
qatar:
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.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Qatar |
| 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
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties