Driving Differences: Algeria vs Samoa - What to Know
When comparing the road regulations of Algeria and Samoa, distinct contrasts emerge that can impact your travel experience. Algeria drives on the right, while Samoa favors the left. Additionally, speed limits in urban areas differ significantly, with Algeria at 50 km/h compared to Samoa's 25-40 km/h, underscoring the importance of knowing local norms for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| 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
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required |
| 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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 685-22-222 |
| 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
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay