Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Uganda Explained
Embarking on a journey through Afghanistan or Uganda? Understanding the diverse regulations and practices can significantly enhance your travel experience. Notably, Afghanistan drives on the right side, while Uganda opts for the left. From speed limits to lane usage, familiarize yourself with these crucial distinctions to ensure a secure and enjoyable ride abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
uganda:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uganda:
Not allowed
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
uganda:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
uganda:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
uganda:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Uganda |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
uganda:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
uganda:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in certain situations |
| 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
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uganda:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket