Driving in Romania vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Romania and Saudi Arabia reveals significant contrasts that every traveler should note. From lane regulations and speed limits to alcohol enforcement and emergency contact procedures, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe and responsible travel. Prepare for your journey by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving norms.
Lanes
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Limited, mainly in urban areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
romania:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
romania:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 | 130 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Road Etiquette
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
romania:
Moderate use expected
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Considerable fines for offenses | 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
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
romania:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
romania:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
saudi arabia:
Possible if fines are not paid