Driving Differences: Kenya vs. Peru Uncovered
When exploring the roads of Kenya and Peru, drivers face distinct regulations and practices that can impact their travel experience. Notably, Kenya drives on the left, while Peru adheres to right-side navigation. Understanding these contrasts, including speed limits and signaling protocols, is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 left. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
peru:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
peru:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
peru:
Yes
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Peru |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
kenya:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
peru:
Not used in Peru
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
peru:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
peru:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay