Driving in China vs. Kenya: Key Differences for Safety
When navigating the roads of China and Kenya, understanding the distinct norms and regulations is essential for safe travel. With China driving on the right and Kenya on the left, key variations emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and protocols for overtaking. This comparison highlights critical contrasts, ensuring you're well-prepared for your journey abroad.
Lanes
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
kenya:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
kenya:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
kenya:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
kenya:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
kenya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 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 | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
kenya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Kenya |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
kenya:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
kenya:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Penalties And Fines
| China | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay