Driving in Algeria vs. Lebanon: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Algeria and Lebanon, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is vital for ensuring a secure journey. From speed limits to overtaking rules, these countries showcase notable variations in their driving protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will enhance your safety and confidence behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
algeria:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| 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
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
lebanon:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
algeria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days