Driving in Qatar vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison of driving regulations between Qatar and Samoa. Discover crucial distinctions that can impact your journey, such as driving on the right in Qatar versus the left in Samoa, varying speed limits, and unique rules regarding emergency vehicles. Stay informed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
qatar:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
qatar:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Limited
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
qatar:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
qatar:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60-80 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 60 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
qatar:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
qatar:
60 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
qatar:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
qatar:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Qatar | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Qatar | 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
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Qatar | 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 | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; penalties are severe | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
qatar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or local authorities | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
qatar:
999
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
qatar:
999 or local authorities
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Qatar | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Minimum 500 QR | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, or online payment options | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay