Driving Differences: Jordan vs. Kuwait Explained
When exploring the road regulations of Jordan and Kuwait, notable distinctions emerge that impact traveler safety and navigation. From lane markings and bus lane usage to speed limits and alcohol enforcement, both nations showcase unique practices. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jordan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | To avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jordan:
Not typically used
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
kuwait:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use is common | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jordan:
Moderate use is common
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
jordan:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jordan:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days