Driving Differences: Madagascar vs Uganda Uncovered
Explore the unique driving nuances between Madagascar and Uganda to enhance your travel safety. Notably, Madagascar drives on the right while Uganda veers left. Speed limits vary significantly, and traffic regulations differ, impacting overall road safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 | 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
uganda:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
uganda:
Not allowed
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
uganda:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
uganda:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
uganda:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
uganda:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
uganda:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Uganda |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
uganda:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
uganda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
uganda:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
uganda:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
uganda:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
uganda:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
uganda:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Frequent use in certain situations |
| 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
uganda:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
uganda:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
uganda:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
uganda:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
uganda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
uganda:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
uganda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket