Driving in Cambodia vs. Germany: Key Safety Differences
The driving landscapes of Cambodia and Germany present intriguing contrasts that can significantly impact road safety for travelers. From speed limits and overtaking regulations to the presence of bus lanes and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey abroad. Explore the key variations to ensure your driving experience is both safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
germany:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
germany:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
germany:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
germany:
Common
Signals
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on rear license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cambodia:
119
germany:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; penalties applied | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay