Driving in Kuwait vs Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
Kuwait and Lebanon present distinct contrasts in their roadway regulations and driving practices. From speed limits to lane markings and alcohol tolerance, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure travel experience. Familiarize yourself with the essential differences to navigate confidently and safely while exploring these two fascinating nations.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left 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 Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Signals
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kuwait:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
lebanon:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Substantial for violations |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
lebanon:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
kuwait:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days