Driving Differences: Germany vs. Jordan Explained
When navigating the roads of Germany and Jordan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their experience. From lane markings and speed limits to documentation and road etiquette, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Explore the key contrasts to enhance your driving knowledge abroad.
Lanes
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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 lane. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | 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 | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | Common | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
germany:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
jordan:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
germany:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay