Samoa vs Turkey: Driving Differences You Need to Know
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations can be pivotal for a safe journey. This comparison between Samoa and Turkey highlights significant contrasts, such as driving on opposite sides of the road and differing speed limits. From lane usage to alcohol limits, each country presents unique challenges and protocols that every traveler should know.
Lanes
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges