Lebanon 2026 Driving Rules: 100 km/h, 0.05%, Age 18

Driving in Lebanon means right-hand traffic, 50 km/h in towns, 70 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on the motorway, with blood alcohol capped at 0.05% and the minimum driving age set at 18. The paperwork needs more care than the limits: GOV.UK says only the 1968 International Driving Permit is accepted now, not the older 1949 version.

Your case: Whether the 100 km/h figure ever applies to you depends on the roads you take, but the car is the variable a rental desk controls — Lebanon’s tyre law page carries the 1.6 mm tread floor the vehicle should already clear before you drive it off the lot.

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Emergency Numbers in Lebanon

Police: 112 | Ambulance: 140 | Fire: 175

Save these numbers before you start driving.

Speed Limits in Lebanon

WHO’s 2023 profile gives maximum limits of 50 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

No official fine schedule was available to publish here, so no figure is given.

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.

Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.

Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

The legal blood alcohol limit in Lebanon is 0.05% BAC (0.05 g/dl) for the general driving population.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Winter tyres are not required in Lebanon. Standard tyres are sufficient for normal driving conditions.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Studded tyres: restricted.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Lebanon guide.

Driving License Requirements

Carry your original licence with a 1968 International Driving Permit. GOV.UK states that the 1949 permit is no longer accepted in Lebanon; British drivers may use the UK licence. The permit has to be issued in your licence country before you travel.

The minimum driving age is 18 years.

Parking and Fuel

Parking in major cities can be limited and expensive. Shopping centres and commercial areas usually have dedicated car parks. Read signs carefully to avoid towing.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Summer heat on the coast raises tyre pressures, so check them cold. Winter brings rain on the coast and snow on the mountain roads inland. GOV.UK notes that traffic lights are often switched off, so treat every junction with care, especially after dark.

Useful Driving Phrases in Arabic

Knowing a few phrases in Arabic helps at fuel stations, toll booths, and during police checks:

Download the Arabic language pack in your translation app for offline use.

Practical Driving Tips for Lebanon

• Download offline maps of Lebanon before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Check current government travel advice before any road trip; some areas are under all-travel or all-but-essential-travel warnings.

Sources

• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Lebanon profile (50 km/h urban, 70 km/h rural, 100 km/h motorway, 0.05 g/dl): who.int
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Lebanon safety and security (1968 IDP or UK licence; 1949 IDP no longer accepted): gov.uk
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Lebanon getting help (police 112, ambulance 140, fire 175) and current travel warnings: gov.uk