Driving Differences: Ireland vs Lebanon You Should Know
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Ireland and Lebanon. From driving sides and speed limits to the use of traffic signals and penalties, each country presents unique rules that influence the driving experience. Understand these distinctions to enhance your safety and confidence while navigating abroad.
Lanes
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | 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 taxis. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
lebanon:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
lebanon:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Ireland | 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 | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Lebanon |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
lebanon:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Yes, annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Ireland | 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common through checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
ireland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 112 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Ireland | Lebanon | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Mandatory for all passengers |
Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Substantial fines |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; often paid at stations |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days