Driving Differences: Egypt vs. Samoa - What to Expect
When exploring the roads of Egypt and Samoa, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. Key contrasts include driving sides—right in Egypt versus left in Samoa—and varied speed limits. Understanding these essential variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
egypt:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | Not applicable |
| 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
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
samoa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
samoa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
samoa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
samoa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
samoa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
samoa:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
samoa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
samoa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
samoa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common |
| 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%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
egypt:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 685-22-222 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
samoa:
685-22-222
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay