Driving Differences: Lebanon vs. Tanzania
When comparing the driving landscapes of Lebanon and Tanzania, distinct variations emerge that influence road safety. Key factors include driving sides—right in Lebanon and left in Tanzania—along with contrasting speed limits and traffic regulations. Understanding these nuances is essential for travelers seeking a secure and informed driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost 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 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Tanzania |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay