Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Tanzania Explained
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Tanzania, travelers encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and driving practices. While Afghanistan adheres to right-side driving, Tanzania opts for the left. Additionally, speed limits and road markings vary significantly, making awareness of these variations essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the right 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 |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30-50 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 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay