Driving in Belgium vs Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Belgium and Lebanon, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that shape their experiences behind the wheel. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and enforcement practices, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe journeys. This comparison highlights crucial aspects for travelers to navigate each country's unique driving landscape effectively.
Lanes
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belgium:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| 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
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days