Driving in Indonesia vs. Uganda: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and Uganda, understanding the local regulations is crucial for safe travel. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the use of bus lanes. While both nations prioritize safety, their unique traffic norms can significantly impact your experience behind the wheel. Stay informed to drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not allowed |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
uganda:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
uganda:
Not allowed
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Uganda |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
uganda:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on vehicle 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
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
uganda:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use in certain situations |
| 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
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| 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
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
uganda:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
uganda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket