Driving Differences: Lebanon vs. Saudi Arabia Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, distinct variations emerge that impact traveler safety. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption norms, understanding these disparities is crucial for a secure driving experience in either nation. Prepare to navigate the unique rules that govern the roads of these two countries.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
saudi arabia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lebanon:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay