Driving in Peru vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roadways of Peru and Tanzania, drivers encounter notable variances in traffic regulations and cultural norms. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, differing speed limits, and unique traffic signal protocols. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these diverse destinations.
Lanes
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
peru:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
peru:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
peru:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
peru:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
tanzania:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Peru | 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
peru:
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
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
peru:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
peru:
105
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
peru:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay