Kenya vs. South Africa: Key Driving Differences Unveiled
When exploring the roads of Kenya and South Africa, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for safe travel. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking rules, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your journey and ensure a secure driving experience in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
south africa:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Alcohol
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay