Driving in Cuba vs. Kuwait: Key Differences Explained
When comparing driving regulations in Cuba and Kuwait, distinct contrasts emerge that are crucial for travelers. Notably, Kuwait enforces stricter speed limits and a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, while Cuba allows for more leniency. Understanding these variations enhances road safety and ensures a smoother experience behind the wheel in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Rare | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
kuwait:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
kuwait:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cuba:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days