Driving Differences: Kenya vs. Russia Explained
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Russia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. Key variations include driving on the left in Kenya versus the right in Russia, differing speed limits, and unique traffic protocols. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth experience while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
russia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| 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, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
russia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay