Driving Safety: New Zealand vs. Tanzania - Key Differences
When exploring the roads of New Zealand and Tanzania, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage for overtaking, and requirements for emergency equipment. This comparison highlights the importance of being informed to navigate these diverse landscapes while ensuring your safety abroad.
Lanes
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
new zealand:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Tanzania |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| New zealand | 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay