Driving in Indonesia vs. Lebanon: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the diverse roads of Indonesia and Lebanon, understanding the stark contrasts in traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. From lane usage and speed limits to overtaking rules, these two nations showcase unique driving customs that every traveler should be aware of to ensure a safe experience abroad.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, 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 |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
lebanon:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
lebanon:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | 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 | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
indonesia:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days