Driving in Egypt vs. Libya: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Egypt and Libya, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the enforcement of alcohol limits, with Libya boasting a strict zero-tolerance policy. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances can significantly enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Generally not used. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
libya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
libya:
Generally not used.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
libya:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Libya |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
egypt:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
libya:
Not used in Libya
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
libya:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
libya:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
libya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
libya:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
libya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
libya:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
libya:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
libya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
libya:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
libya:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Varies by area |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
libya:
Varies by area
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days