Driving in Lebanon vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the unique road rules between Lebanon and Singapore reveals significant contrasts in driving practices and safety measures. From lane usage to speed limits, this comparison highlights Lebanon's right-side driving alongside Singapore's left-side approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding these variations for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
singapore:
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.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Singapore |
| 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 | 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| 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 crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
lebanon:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
lebanon:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay