Driving in Lebanon vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Lebanon and South Africa, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and road etiquette. While Lebanon adheres to the right, South Africa drives on the left, creating unique challenges for travelers. Awareness of these variations can enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay