Driving Differences: Lebanon vs. Libya Explained
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and Libya, it's essential to understand the distinct traffic customs and regulations that govern each nation. This comparison highlights key variations, such as speed limits and signaling practices, ensuring travelers prioritize their safety while abroad. Get ready to drive confidently with this vital information at your fingertips.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
libya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Signals
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Libya |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
lebanon:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
libya:
Not used in Libya
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
libya:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
libya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days