Driving Differences: France vs. Jordan Explained
When navigating the roads of France and Jordan, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and usage of public transport lanes. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can ensure a smoother and safer driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not typically used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
jordan:
Not typically used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
jordan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
france:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Moderate use is common |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Alcohol
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common at checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Roundabouts
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay