Driving in Egypt vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and vehicle operation between Egypt and Sweden. From lane markings to speed limits, this comparison reveals significant distinctions in driving culture and safety protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure travel experience, ensuring you're well-prepared for any journey abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
egypt:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70-100 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| 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 | Use is generally discouraged. |
| 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: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| 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 | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
egypt:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
egypt:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
egypt:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
sweden:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
egypt:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
egypt:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
egypt:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
egypt:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
egypt:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
egypt:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
egypt:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| 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. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
egypt:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
egypt:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
egypt:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
egypt:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
egypt:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
egypt:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
egypt:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
egypt:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
egypt:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
egypt:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
egypt:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
egypt:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
egypt:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| 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 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
egypt:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
egypt:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.