Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Lebanon Safety Tips
Exploring the roads of Guatemala and Lebanon reveals notable distinctions in driving practices and regulations. From speed limits and lane markings to emergency protocols and alcohol restrictions, understanding these variances is crucial for safe navigation. Prepare for your journey abroad by familiarizing yourself with the unique driving landscapes of these two vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
lebanon:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
guatemala:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
guatemala:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days