Driving in Egypt vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Egypt versus Norway, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience behind the wheel. Key disparities in lane markings, speed restrictions, and road etiquette underscore the importance of understanding local traffic norms. This guide will equip you with essential insights for safer navigation in both countries.
Lanes
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
egypt:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
norway:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
norway:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
norway:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
norway:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
norway:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed |
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
norway:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
norway:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay