Driving in Kuwait vs. Nepal: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Kuwait and Nepal, drivers encounter notable contrasts in rules and regulations. Key differences include driving sides—Kuwait adheres to the right, while Nepal drives on the left—as well as varied speed limits and traffic protocols. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe travels in these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Yes, with caution. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Keep 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 |
Driving Side
kuwait:
Right
nepal:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
Overtaking: On Left
kuwait:
Yes
nepal:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
nepal:
Keep left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
Yes
nepal:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
nepal:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
nepal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
nepal:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
nepal:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
nepal:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
nepal:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
nepal:
60 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
nepal:
60 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kuwait:
Yes
nepal:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Nepal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Nepali and English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
kuwait:
Amber
nepal:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
nepal:
Nepali and English
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
nepal:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
nepal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nepal:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
nepal:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
nepal:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
nepal:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
kuwait:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 100 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
nepal:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
nepal:
100
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nepal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Yes, common practice |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
nepal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay