Driving in Libya vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Libya and Norway, travelers will encounter significant variations in traffic regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Discover how these two nations prioritize road safety and what you need to know before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
norway:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
norway:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay