Driving in Norway vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Norway and Saudi Arabia, key distinctions emerge in their traffic regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these two countries prioritize road safety in unique ways and what you need to know before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
norway:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer