Driving in Lebanon vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in driving regulations between Lebanon and the United Kingdom. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, each country exhibits unique practices that impact road safety. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
lebanon:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
lebanon:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
lebanon:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
lebanon:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| 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-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
lebanon:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
lebanon:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
lebanon:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay