Driving in Egypt vs. Myanmar: Key Safety Differences
Explore the driving dynamics between Egypt and Myanmar, where unique regulations shape the road experience. Key distinctions include lane usage—Egypt permits overtaking on the left, while Myanmar mandates right-side overtaking. Additionally, speed limits differ significantly in urban areas, highlighting the need for awareness when navigating these diverse environments for a safer journey.
Lanes
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
egypt:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Myanmar |
| 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
myanmar:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
myanmar:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
myanmar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
myanmar:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| 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 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay