Driving in Kenya vs. Myanmar: Know the Key Differences
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of Kenya and Myanmar, where road rules and regulations vary significantly. From driving sides to speed limits, each country offers unique guidelines that are essential for safe navigation. Understanding these contrasts will enhance your experience and ensure a secure journey while exploring these captivating destinations.
Lanes
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Signals
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
myanmar:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible; else must be paid at office |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office