Driving in Lebanon

The main road traffic rules:

• Driving is on the right hand side of the road.
• Seat belts when driving are mandatory.
• The use of a cell phone without a hands-free system while driving is prohibited.
• Drivers must obedient to traffic control devices.
• Drivers must stop at all military checkpoints.
• Stopping at sidewalk area is forbidden.
• Pedestrians on crosswalks always have right of way.
• Every driver must obey to a signal or direction of a police officer.

Additional information:

• For hire a vehicle in Lebanon, a driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a driver license for 2 years or more.  Some rental companies require charging extra from drivers under 25 years old.
• There are no toll roads in Lebanon.
• As a rule, on-street parking has a maximum duration of 2 hours.
• While operating a car, drivers must carry their valid driver licenses, car registration and insurance documents.
• The police phone number is 125.
• Local drivers very often exceed the speed limits and do not respect other traffic rules. As accidents are common, driving is very hazardous in Lebanon.
• It is not permitted to place injurious material or obstruction on the street.
• Road rules are effectively non-existent.
• The Lebanese like to hoot so horns are common used.
• On Lebanese roads, any driver must focus on what is in front of his car and what is coming in from the sides.
• To avoid a head-on collision, drivers should approach every blind bend wide and slowly as someone may overtake in that moment.
• There is no right of way on most intersections.