Defensive Driving Classes in Tripoli?

Rocko wrote:

As a person who just got her driving license from her home country, driving in Libya is of course a No-No for a new driver.

Thus, who knows where to get Defensive Driving Classes taught by an English speaking instructor?

Wouldn't want to hit a curb because I didnt understand what "Left" was in Arabic.

With all due respect, Arabs seem to get confused between left and right, and also their B's & P's. As for defensive driving, you will end up stuck at a junction for the rest of the day and be quicker walking

Rocko, check your PM

well.. ermm.. walking from tripoli to office base camps situated 100 km away, is like running for some hunger campaign.

And If I got to live here for the next year or so, I got to learn how to drive the Libyan way.

Thank you for the motivation though, clansman.

It seems to me, the best way to drive in Tripoli is the Matrix Way.

You put on the sun glasses, and avoid the cars moving your way. You get points for each day alive...


At least, its Track Day... every day!!!! Like Borat would say: "Very nice!"

Anyone else see the pile up on the motorway into the city this evening at about 5pm?

I saw an overturned bus, another trashed car and a cement truck involved....

what a kill joy.

I know a couple of English guys who work for a co. here teaching defensive driving to the Oil Co.s , if that'll help ?

Rocko wrote:

well.. ermm.. walking from tripoli to office base camps situated 100 km away, is like running for some hunger campaign.

And If I got to live here for the next year or so, I got to learn how to drive the Libyan way.

Thank you for the motivation though, clansman.

Sorry didn't mean to come across in such a negative fashion. I am the worlds worst passenger, and when I first took my first taxi's I thought I was certain to die. Be aware at ALL times and make sure you blast the horn or flash your lights to indicate you are not stopping or allowing right of way. Once again I am sorry if I have put you off driving here (haven't even tried it myself yet). One bit of advice, if turning left off a junction pull as far RIGHT as possible to allow cars behind to pass you.

Hi All,

I am afraid from what I am hearing. I 'll be coming to Libya in 1-2 weeks and I getting firghtened by your posts from driving in Libya. Is the driving speed very high or people are not paying attention to regulation, signs, etc...what is the problem.

Where 's the police stands from this bad driving. Where is the controls. There should be speed humps, radars for speed control, clear traffic signs and road marings.....It seems there is poor driving culture there.

My wife has get her driving liscence recently here in UAE. Can she drive safely there in Libya????

Hi again,

I though about something...

Can I purchase a 4X4 or Truck there.........

ibngabal wrote:

Hi All,
I am afraid from what I am hearing. I 'll be coming to Libya in 1-2 weeks and I getting firghtened by your posts from driving in Libya. Is the driving speed very high YES or people are not paying attention to regulation NO, signs,NO etc...what is the problem. Ignorance+arrogance+no driver education+no use of mirrors or indicators and too much use of mobile phones

Where 's the police stands from this bad drivingThey're not much better!. Where is the controls. There should be speed humps to be driven around at speed, radars for speed controlNO, clear traffic signs Ignoredand road maringsIgnoredIt seems there is poor driving culture there. That's putting it mildly

Having said that, I've been here for 18 months and have no problem driving around. I don't get mad at the idiots, although I am constantly amazed at their acts of stupidity. I think my driving style has adjusted accordingly and I'd have real trouble not getting arrested if I drove in the UK again.
If you're a timid driver, you'll take longer to adapt, but I used to ride motorbikes & am used to assuming that all other road users want to kill me

ibngabal wrote:

Hi All,

I am afraid from what I am hearing. I 'll be coming to Libya in 1-2 weeks and I getting firghtened by your posts from driving in Libya.

You should be frightened. Libya has the worst driving standard of any country I've ever visited (including most of West Africa). Officially, Libya has the second highest fatality rate per traffic accident in the world...after Botswana.


Is the driving speed very high or people are not paying attention to regulation, signs, etc...what is the problem.

The problem is, that there is no driver training or formal driving test. If they can reach the wheel and the loud pedal, they can drive and they do drive. The speedometer in a Libyan car tells you how fast you're NOT going...

In addition, the roads in Libya (once you get out of Tripoli city centre at least) are well maintained, straight, and encourage fast driving. Traffic management systems are very limited and drivers frequently ignore road markings and traffic signs.

Thirdly, many of the vehicles in Libya are ex. European vehicles which have failed their technical examination and are therefore unsafe to be driven in the first place.


Where 's the police stands from this bad driving. Where is the controls. There should be speed humps, radars for speed control, clear traffic signs and road marings.....It seems there is poor driving culture there.

The police prefer to stop vehicles not for motoring violations or unsafe vehicle condition, but to attempt to extort money from the driver. Only yesterday I was pulled over and was asked for dash even before the scuffer had checked my papers.

There is some sort of dangerous psychosis in place. I have been a passenger many times with Libyans who are normally really great, friendly people to get along with. As soon as they get behind the wheel, some sort of personality transformation takes place and the madman takes over. Again, I'd say a lot has to do with the lack of training. There is no such thing as defensive driving in Libya.


My wife has get her driving liscence recently here in UAE. Can she drive safely there in Libya????

Please, for the sake of your wife's health, do not encourage a novice driver to even think about driving here.

Mudman thanks. this given me a picture...
If I got to drive there I 'll assume that I am the only one in the street has mind...

ibngabal wrote:

Hi again,

I though about something...

Can I purchase a 4X4 or Truck there.........

Even better, a main battle tank

Just for fun:

Go onto Google and type 2 words: Libya+Driving

Sandman6 wrote:

ibngabal wrote:

Hi again,

I though about something...

Can I purchase a 4X4 or Truck there.........

Even better, a main battle tank

Challenger2 MBT with a smooth bore 120mm gun, plus two coax mounted 7.62mm machine guns, yup that should just about do it, oh aye, take the limiter off and I think it can hit 62mph, sounds perfect for out here

w e l o m e    t o    T r i p o l i


    KEEP FOCUSING WHEN U R NT DRIVIING

there is many companies , provide Defensive Driving Classes here Tripoli , Arabic & English ,, M&O , 1ST Eng ..

I have to say that I do not think that the driving is that bad here, I have driven or been driven in most of the Middle East, same for Asia Pac and it is no worse than Cairo, Ho Chi Min or even Dubai in the 80’s. That said my wife will not be driving here, mainly due to my company imposed restrictions but also the attitude to women in general should she get in a wreck. The only part that I find hard and a little freaky is the ad hoc U turns on the main roads where you just keep edging out with 10 other cars and trucks until the traffic stops, down town is a walk in the park after Kuala Lumpur as there are no motorbikes speeding between the cars.

Dear Rocko

here's a name of a Maltese training center where i took defensive driving and first aid and fire fighting courses all their courses are in English Language 

MEDILINK INTERNATIONAL
Tripoli Clinic
Shara Hasi Messaoud
Suq El Gbub, Ghirgharesh
Tripoli LIBYA.
Tel: +218 4837292
Fax: +218 4830491
Email: clinic@medilinkint.com

And i have to admit for the defensive driving class the foreigner tutor made it extra interesting with his knowledge in the whole Libyan driving dilemma

i hope u find it helpful

Thanks for the info on defensive driving! Will look into it.

To everyone else,

*sigh* libya oh libya.. dont you love the place or what..