Driving in Algeria vs. Kuwait: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Algeria and Kuwait, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to documentation requirements, understanding these variances is crucial for safe navigation. Notably, Kuwait enforces a stricter zero-tolerance policy on alcohol, while Algeria permits a slight blood alcohol level. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a secure journey.
Lanes
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
kuwait:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
algeria:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days