Driving in Indonesia vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and Kenya, understanding the distinct traffic regulations, speed limits, and driving customs is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key variations include overtaking rules, speed enforcement, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes, each influencing your driving experience in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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 | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
kenya:
0.08%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | 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
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
kenya:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay