Driving in Madagascar vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
Explore the contrasting road regulations and practices between Madagascar and Turkey, crucial for ensuring a secure journey in these diverse landscapes. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerances and traffic signs, understanding these variations is vital for every traveler. Stay informed and drive safely while abroad!
Lanes
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| 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 prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| 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 | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
turkey:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
turkey:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
turkey:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
turkey:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | More 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
turkey:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
turkey:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
turkey:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges