Driving in the Bahamas vs. Tanzania: Key Differences
The driving landscape differs significantly between the Bahamas and Tanzania, influencing road safety and traveler experience. Key distinctions include lane usage for overtaking, speed limits, and documentation requirements. While the Bahamas embraces a more relaxed approach, Tanzania enforces stricter regulations, highlighting the importance of understanding these variations for safe navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
tanzania:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
tanzania:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
tanzania:
Common