Driving in France vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
Driving in France and Kenya presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Notable distinctions include the driving side—right in France and left in Kenya—as well as variations in speed limits and road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these disparities will enhance your travel experience and promote safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
france:
Right
kenya:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
kenya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
kenya:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Kenya |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
kenya:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
kenya:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
kenya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
france:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay