Driving in Spain vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Spain and Tanzania, motorists encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. From differing driving sides—right in Spain and left in Tanzania—to unique speed limits and lane usages, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Explore key distinctions to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Spain | 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 | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
spain:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
spain:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
tanzania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
spain:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
tanzania:
Common