Driving in Lebanon vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of Lebanon and Norway, notable distinctions emerge that influence road safety and behavior. From lane markings to speed regulations, Lebanon's approach contrasts sharply with Norway's structured system. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring secure travels in both countries, enhancing your motoring experience abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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 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
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay