Driving in Cuba vs. Lebanon: Key Differences Explained
When venturing on the roads of Cuba and Lebanon, it's essential to understand their distinct driving customs and regulations. From lane markings and speed limits to horn usage and emergency protocols, this comparison reveals significant contrasts that can impact your journey. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cuba | 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cuba:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
lebanon:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
lebanon:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | 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 | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cuba:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
lebanon:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in 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
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
cuba:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days