Driving in Algeria vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
Explore the driving nuances between Algeria and Kenya, two diverse nations with unique road regulations. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Algeria versus the left in Kenya, and varying speed limits, with Algeria allowing faster speeds on highways. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Kenya |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| 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
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
kenya:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
kenya:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Roundabouts
| Algeria | 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
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
algeria:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay