Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Driving in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom presents distinct challenges and practices that travelers should be aware of. From varying speed limits to lane usage regulations, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. This comparison highlights critical aspects such as overtaking rules and traffic signals, enabling a smoother journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
saudi arabia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
saudi arabia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
saudi arabia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
saudi arabia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
saudi arabia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
saudi arabia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
saudi arabia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
saudi arabia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Substantial fines apply |
| 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
united kingdom:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
saudi arabia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay