Driving in Madagascar vs Tunisia: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Madagascar and Tunisia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that greatly influence their journey. Key disparities such as speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance highlight the importance of understanding local driving norms to enhance road safety abroad. Navigate wisely to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience in these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Not typically permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost 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 |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
tunisia:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
tunisia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 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
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
tunisia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not typically used |
| 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 | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
tunisia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
tunisia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
tunisia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
tunisia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Encouraged, 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 use |
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
tunisia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
tunisia:
Moderate use
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
tunisia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tunisia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
tunisia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| 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 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay