Colombia vs Lebanon: Driving Differences You Need to Know
Traveling safely requires understanding the unique regulations and practices of each destination. In this comparative analysis, we explore the road rules of Colombia and Lebanon. Notable distinctions include lane markings, speed restrictions, and alcohol limits, all of which significantly influence how drivers navigate these countries. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey abroad!
Lanes
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days