Driving in Lebanon vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road etiquette and regulations between Lebanon and New Zealand. From varying speed limits to distinct lane usage, this comparison highlights crucial contrasts that can impact your travel experience. Understanding these vital distinctions ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey, whether navigating urban streets or rural highways.
Lanes
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
new zealand:
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.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in New Zealand |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
lebanon:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay