Driving in Ireland vs. Mozambique: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road regulations in Ireland and Mozambique reveals striking contrasts in their traffic systems. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant journey while navigating the unique driving landscapes of both countries.
Lanes
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Centers the road for no-passing zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
mozambique:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
mozambique:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
mozambique:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mozambique:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mozambique:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
mozambique:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
mozambique:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
mozambique:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Mozambique |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
mozambique:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
mozambique:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
mozambique:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
mozambique:
Annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
mozambique:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common, especially in urban areas |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
mozambique:
0.06%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 121 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
mozambique:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
mozambique:
121
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
mozambique:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,