Driving Differences: Singapore vs Tanzania Explained
Discover the contrasting driving norms between Singapore and Tanzania. While Singapore emphasizes strict regulations and advanced traffic management, Tanzania showcases a more relaxed approach with varied speed limits and vehicle requirements. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travels and compliance when navigating the roads in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak 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 colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
singapore:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
singapore:
Not allowed.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
singapore:
40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Singapore | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
singapore:
Not allowed.
tanzania:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Display not required | 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
singapore:
Display not required
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
singapore:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
singapore:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| 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 crosswalks and pedestrian zones | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Flashing Lights: Usage
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
tanzania:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
singapore:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 995 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore | 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
singapore:
995
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
singapore:
999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Singapore | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, demerit points | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $120, demerit points for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $200 to $500, demerit points | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay