Driving in Myanmar vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Myanmar and Tanzania, travelers must navigate distinct driving regulations and practices. Key contrasts include the side of the road on which vehicles operate, speed limits in urban areas, and traffic enforcement protocols. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtaking is on the right. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
Driving Side
myanmar:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
myanmar:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Signals
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Myanmar | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Burmese; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use, more common in cities | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; often during festivals | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
myanmar:
0.03%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
myanmar:
199
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Myanmar | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine enforced; mandatory use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
tanzania:
Common