Driving in Jordan vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Jordan and Qatar presents unique contrasts that are crucial for any traveler. From speed limits and lane usage to regulations surrounding alcohol and penalties, understanding these distinctions can enhance road safety. Familiarize yourself with these important variations to navigate your journey with confidence and awareness in both nations.
Lanes
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jordan:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jordan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 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 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jordan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Qatar |
| 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 Lights: Red And Amber Together
jordan:
Not typically used
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
qatar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Turns
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Limits: General Drivers
jordan:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Emergency Services
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties