Driving Safely: Iceland vs. Kuwait – Key Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Iceland and Kuwait reveals intriguing contrasts that are crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. From speed limits that vary between urban and rural areas to unique regulations governing overtaking and alcohol consumption, understanding these distinctions is vital for safe navigation. Prepare to dive into the essential driving guidelines in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
kuwait:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Signals
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
kuwait:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
kuwait:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
iceland:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
kuwait:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days