Driving in Qatar vs Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Qatar and Tunisia, it's essential to understand their unique driving regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions. With Qatar allowing overtaking on designated occasions and Tunisia enforcing stricter guidelines, grasping these contrasts can significantly enhance your safety and experience while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
qatar:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| 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
tunisia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
qatar:
60 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
100-120 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Signals
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Qatar | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
qatar:
Annual inspection required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
qatar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; penalties are severe | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or local authorities | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
qatar:
999
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
qatar:
999 or local authorities
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Qatar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Minimum 500 QR | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, or online payment options | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay