Driving in Japan vs. Senegal: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Japan and Senegal, distinct contrasts emerge that are crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and unique traffic regulations, these differences highlight the importance of understanding local rules. Prepare for a safer driving experience by familiarizing yourself with the driving nuances of both nations.
Lanes
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
senegal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
senegal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
senegal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
senegal:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
senegal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
senegal:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
senegal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
senegal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
senegal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
senegal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
senegal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
senegal:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
senegal:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
senegal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
senegal:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
senegal:
Yes
Signals
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Senegal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not commonly allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
senegal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
senegal:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
japan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
senegal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
senegal:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 18 or 17 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 17 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
senegal:
18 or 17
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
senegal:
17
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
senegal:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | 10,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Varies; significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Yes; often required immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
senegal:
10,000 CFA
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days