Driving Differences: Jordan vs. United Kingdom
Explore the unique aspects of road regulations between Jordan and the United Kingdom. This comparison highlights critical variations such as driving on opposite sides, distinct speed limits, and lane markings. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and informed travel experience in each country.
Lanes
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
jordan:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
jordan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
jordan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jordan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jordan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
jordan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jordan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jordan:
Not typically used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
jordan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
united kingdom:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
jordan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
jordan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jordan:
Moderate use is common
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
jordan:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
jordan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay