Driving in Madagascar vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the diverse road regulations of Madagascar and Tanzania, travelers must navigate notable distinctions that impact their journey. From driving on the right versus the left to varying speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safe and enjoyable travel experiences in both nations.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
tanzania:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 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: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
tanzania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
tanzania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
tanzania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
tanzania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate usage 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
tanzania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
tanzania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | 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 | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay