Driving Differences: Kenya vs. Slovakia Explained
When comparing the road rules and regulations of Kenya and Slovakia, distinct variations emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From driving on opposite sides of the road to contrasting speed limits and traffic etiquette, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Familiarize yourself with these essential driving nuances to stay safe on both terrains.
Lanes
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
slovakia:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
slovakia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 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 | 130 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. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
slovakia:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay