Driving in Madagascar vs Mozambique: Key Safety Tips
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices between Madagascar and Mozambique. From driving sides to speed limits, each nation presents distinct vehicular customs. Notably, Madagascar operates on the right side, while Mozambique adheres to left-hand driving, influencing overall road experiences and ensuring safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Centers the road for no-passing zones. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
mozambique:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
mozambique:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
mozambique:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
mozambique:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
mozambique:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
mozambique:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
mozambique:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
mozambique:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
mozambique:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
mozambique:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
mozambique:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
mozambique:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
mozambique:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
mozambique:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Mozambique |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
mozambique:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
mozambique:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
mozambique:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
mozambique:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
mozambique:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
mozambique:
Annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
mozambique:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
mozambique:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
mozambique:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common, especially in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
mozambique:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
mozambique:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
mozambique:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
mozambique:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
mozambique:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 121 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
mozambique:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
mozambique:
121
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common; fines often paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
mozambique:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,