Driving Differences: Cuba vs. Tanzania Uncovered
Discover the driving landscape in Cuba and Tanzania, where distinct regulations shape road conduct. From unique lane usage—Cuba driving on the right and Tanzania on the left—to varying speed limits and alcohol thresholds, understanding these contrasting rules is essential for safe travels. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Cuba | 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 | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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 | Rare | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cuba:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
cuba:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
tanzania:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
tanzania:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
tanzania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
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
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in 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
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; 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: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay