Driving in Kenya vs. Uzbekistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Uzbekistan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experiences. From differing sides of the road to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Explore the key contrasts and prepare for your adventure abroad!
Lanes
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
kenya:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
kenya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kenya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kenya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
uzbekistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
kenya:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines