Driving in Chile vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the unique terrains of Chile and Tanzania, understanding the distinct regulations and customs of each nation is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey. From driving on the right side in Chile to the left in Tanzania, and varying speed limits, this comparison highlights essential aspects that every traveler should be aware of for road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Tanzania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
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
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less 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
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay