Driving Differences: Algeria vs Saudi Arabia Revealed
Explore the driving nuances between Algeria and Saudi Arabia to enhance your road safety while traveling. Key distinctions include overtaking regulations, speed limits, and alcohol limits, with Algeria imposing a 0.02% limit compared to Saudi Arabia's strict 0.00%. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
saudi arabia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
algeria:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay