Driving in Kenya vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Explore the striking contrasts in road regulations and safety measures between Kenya and Norway. From varying driving directions to distinct speed limits and traffic etiquettes, this comparison highlights essential insights for travelers. Understanding these key disparities will enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
norway:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
norway:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
norway:
Yes, typically required