Driving Differences: Australia vs. Jordan Explained
When traversing the roads of Australia and Jordan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key variations include driving sides—left in Australia and right in Jordan—alongside speed limits and lane usage, which are crucial for ensuring safety on foreign terrain. Understanding these contrasts is vital for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
jordan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
jordan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
jordan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not typically used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
jordan:
Not typically used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
jordan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
australia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
jordan:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
jordan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay