Driving Safety: Libya vs. New Zealand Comparison
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison of driving regulations in Libya and New Zealand. While Libya follows a right-hand traffic system, New Zealand adheres to left-hand driving, presenting distinct road experiences. From speed limits to lane usage and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover the essential contrasts that can help you navigate safely in these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
new zealand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
libya:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
libya:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
new zealand:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
libya:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
libya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay