Driving in Algeria vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the road rules in Algeria and Tunisia reveals intriguing contrasts in regulations and customs. While speed limits vary significantly, with Algeria allowing 120 km/h on highways compared to Tunisia's 110 km/h, both nations emphasize pedestrian priority. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Not typically permitted. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Mandatory; proof may be 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Moderate use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
algeria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
tunisia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay