Driving Differences: Libya vs Samoa - What You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Libya and Samoa, significant contrasts in traffic regulations and practices emerge. From driving on opposite sides of the street to differing speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Prepare to explore the unique driving landscapes of these two nations.
Lanes
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
libya:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English and Samoan; 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.
samoa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| 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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 685-22-222 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
samoa:
685-22-222
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay