Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Kenya Explained
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and Kenya, understanding key distinctions in traffic regulations is crucial for maintaining safety. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits, these contrasts can significantly impact your journey. Explore the essential driving nuances between these two countries to ensure a secure and informed experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
kenya:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
kenya:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
afghanistan:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kenya:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay