Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key disparities include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and compliant journey in either country.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
turkey:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | 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 | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
turkey:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges