Driving Differences: Colombia vs Tanzania Explained
Exploring the driving landscapes of Colombia and Tanzania reveals intriguing variations that impact road safety. From contrasting lane usage and speed limits to distinct alcohol regulations, each country has unique rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for travelers to navigate their journeys safely and confidently, ensuring a smoother experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 | Allowed 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Required annually |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
tanzania:
Required annually
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
tanzania:
Common