Driving in Egypt vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Egypt and the United Kingdom, understanding the distinct rules and regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right versus the left, varying speed limits, and the presence of bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
egypt:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
egypt:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
egypt:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
egypt:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
egypt:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and 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 | 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
egypt:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
united kingdom:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
united kingdom:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
united kingdom:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
united kingdom:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
egypt:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
egypt:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
united kingdom:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
united kingdom:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
united kingdom:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
egypt:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
egypt:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay