Driving in Kenya vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Kenya and Portugal. From distinct driving sides to varying speed limits, this comparison highlights essential disparities that impact traveler safety. Understanding these regulations ensures a smoother journey, whether navigating the bustling streets of Nairobi or the scenic routes of Lisbon.
Lanes
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
portugal:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
portugal:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
portugal:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
portugal:
Possible