Driving in Algeria vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Algeria and Tanzania, understanding the contrasting driving regulations is essential for a safe experience. From lane usage—where Algeria drives on the right and Tanzania on the left—to varying speed limits and documentation requirements, these differences can significantly affect your journey. Stay informed and drive confidently!
Lanes
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| 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 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Common |
| 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
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay