Driving in Kuwait vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe travel. This comparison highlights significant contrasts between Kuwait and the United Kingdom, from driving sides to speed limits and traffic signals. Grasping these key distinctions will help ensure a smoother driving experience in these two diverse locales.
Lanes
| Kuwait | 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 left edge on divided roads. | 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 | Not commonly practiced. | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
kuwait:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
kuwait:
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
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
kuwait:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
kuwait:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
kuwait:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kuwait:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
kuwait:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
kuwait:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Substantial fines apply |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
united kingdom:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | 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
kuwait:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
kuwait:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay