Driving Safely: Guatemala vs Tanzania – Key Differences
Driving in Guatemala and Tanzania presents unique contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From varying lane usage to distinct speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Whether navigating right-side roads in Guatemala or left-side lanes in Tanzania, being informed can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 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 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
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
tanzania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
tanzania:
112
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay