Driving in Madagascar vs. Norway: Essential Safety Tips
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in Madagascar and Norway. While Madagascar features less structured lane markings and higher alcohol limits, Norway emphasizes strict traffic rules, lower tolerance for intoxication, and comprehensive lane usage regulations. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring safe travel experiences in either country.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Norway |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
norway:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
norway:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
norway:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
norway:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | None |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
norway:
None
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
norway:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
norway:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay