Driving in Kenya vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kenya and New Zealand, it's crucial to understand the distinct driving regulations and norms each country upholds. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds and emergency protocols, these variations can significantly influence your travel experience. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kenya:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
kenya:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| 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: Entering
kenya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay