Driving Safety: Lebanon vs Qatar – Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Lebanon and Qatar, drivers will encounter notable distinctions that influence their travel safety and experience. From varied speed limits to unique lane markings, understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure journey. This comparison highlights key regulations and practices to ensure your driving remains smooth and lawful in both regions.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left 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 only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
qatar:
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.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 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
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Qatar |
| 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 and 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
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
qatar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
qatar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties