Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. Tanzania: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Saudi Arabia and Tanzania, understanding their distinct traffic regulations and customs is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varied speed limits, and contrasting protocols for emergency vehicles. This guide will help travelers navigate these unique driving landscapes effectively.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
saudi arabia:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
saudi arabia:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
saudi arabia:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
tanzania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 periodic inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | 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
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
saudi arabia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Significant fines apply |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
tanzania:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
tanzania:
Common