Driving in Qatar vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Qatar and Serbia presents distinct contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From lane usage to speed limits and traffic regulations, understanding these variances is essential for a secure journey. Notably, Qatar enforces a strict zero-alcohol policy, while Serbia allows a minimal limit, reflecting different approaches to road safety.
Lanes
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Limited
serbia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
serbia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
qatar:
N/A
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
qatar:
Not applicable
serbia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 60 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
qatar:
60-80 km/h
serbia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
qatar:
60 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
100-120 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
qatar:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Signals
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Qatar | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
qatar:
Annual inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
qatar:
Not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
qatar:
Not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; penalties are severe | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or local authorities | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
qatar:
999
serbia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
qatar:
999 or local authorities
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Qatar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Minimum 500 QR | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, or online payment options | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay