Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Kenya Explored
When exploring the roads of Guatemala and Kenya, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is vital for safe navigation. These two countries showcase contrasting driving norms, from lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and emergency protocols. Stay informed to ensure your journey remains secure and enjoyable in both locales.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
kenya:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Exiting
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
guatemala:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay