Driving in El Salvador vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring safety on the streets. This comparison between El Salvador and Lebanon reveals noteworthy contrasts, from lane markings and speed limits to documentation requirements and penalties. Familiarizing yourself with these driving protocols can significantly enhance your travel experience and security.
Lanes
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not used in Lebanon |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common through checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
el salvador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 112 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
El salvador | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Mandatory for all passengers |
Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Substantial fines |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Possible; often paid at stations |
Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days