Driving in Kenya vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Tanzania, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that shape their travel experience. Key variations include lane markings, speed limits, and requirements for documentation, all crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Understanding these contrasts not only enhances road safety but also enriches your adventure in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| 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.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
tanzania:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required annually |
| 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
tanzania:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
tanzania:
Common