Driving Safety in Libya vs. Tunisia: Key Differences
Driving in Libya and Tunisia presents unique challenges and practices that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, traffic regulations, and emergency contact numbers, which can significantly influence road safety. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will ensure a smoother and more secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the left 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. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tunisia:
N/A
Signals
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | Arabic and French; 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.
tunisia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Mandatory; proof may be 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
libya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay