Driving in Japan vs. Lebanon: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential contrasts in motoring practices between Japan and Lebanon, from lane usage to speed regulations. Key distinctions include Japan's left-side driving and strict enforcement of speed limits, while Lebanon permits overtaking on the left and has varied urban speed limits. Ensure a secure journey by understanding these crucial road customs.
Lanes
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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, overtaking is done on the right. | 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 during specific hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
lebanon:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
lebanon:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
japan:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | 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 |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
lebanon:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial for violations |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
japan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days