Driving Differences: Mozambique vs. United Kingdom
When navigating the roads of Mozambique versus the United Kingdom, understanding the contrasts in regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings to speed limits and emergency protocols, each country boasts unique driving norms. This comparison highlights the essential distinctions to enhance your travel experience and ensure compliance with local rules.
Lanes
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centers the road for no-passing zones. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
mozambique:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
mozambique:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
mozambique:
Not allowed.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
mozambique:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mozambique:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
mozambique:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mozambique:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
mozambique:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mozambique:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mozambique:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mozambique | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
mozambique:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
mozambique:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
mozambique:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mozambique:
Annually
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mozambique:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
mozambique:
0.06%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
mozambique:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
mozambique:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 121 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
mozambique:
119
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
mozambique:
121
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mozambique:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mozambique | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mozambique:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
mozambique:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay