Driving in Lebanon vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and Turkey, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences arise in lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will not only enhance your driving experience but also promote safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
turkey:
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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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 | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | More 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges