Driving in China vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of China and Tanzania, drivers encounter unique challenges and regulations. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides—right in China and left in Tanzania—as well as varied speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right 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 |
| 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: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| 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 dedicated lanes. |
| 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
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
tanzania:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
tanzania:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
tanzania:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tanzania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 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 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
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
tanzania:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | 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 | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
tanzania:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common |
| 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
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay