Driving in Kuwait vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey to Kuwait or Norway? Understanding the nuances of road regulations in these two distinct nations is crucial for a safe driving experience. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions, this comparison highlights essential disparities that every traveler should be aware of to navigate the roads confidently and securely.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Turns
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
norway:
Possible for severe offenses
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay