Driving in Indonesia vs. Libya: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads in Indonesia and Libya, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and customs is crucial for a secure journey. While Indonesia drives on the left, Libya adheres to right-hand traffic. Moreover, speed limits, overtaking rules, and alcohol regulations vary significantly, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these driving nuances before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally not allowed except 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. | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
libya:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
libya:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
libya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
libya:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Libya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Arabic |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
indonesia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
libya:
Not used in Libya
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Turns
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days