Driving in Algeria vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Algeria and Thailand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. Key contrasts arise in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance, impacting overall road safety. Understanding these unique driving norms is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience in each country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
thailand:
Left
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 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
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Thailand |
| 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 | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| 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
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| 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
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
algeria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days