Driving in Iceland vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
Explore the contrasting road regulations and driving customs of Iceland and Lebanon. From speed limits to lane markings, each country presents unique challenges for motorists. Understanding these variations can enhance your travel experience and ensure safety on foreign roads. Dive into the specifics that set these two nations apart and drive with confidence!
Lanes
| Iceland | 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
lebanon:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 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 on gravel roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Signals
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Lebanon |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| 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 and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
lebanon:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when preparing to enter |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days