Driving in Libya vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Libya and Tanzania. From differing driving sides to speed limits and emergency protocols, each nation presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these variations not only enhances your journey but also ensures a safer experience as you navigate the roads abroad.
Lanes
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except 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 | Not commonly designated. | 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 | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
libya:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
tanzania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay