Driving Differences: Tanzania vs. Thailand Safety Tips
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Tanzania and Thailand, two vibrant nations with distinct driving cultures. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions, each reflecting the unique priorities of safety and efficiency on their roads. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
tanzania:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
tanzania:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tanzania:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
tanzania:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Tanzania | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Swahili; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tanzania:
Required annually
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate usage compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines apply | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
tanzania:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tanzania:
0.05%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tanzania:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
tanzania:
Common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
tanzania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
tanzania:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
tanzania:
112
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tanzania | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties can be severe | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Penalties enforced | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tanzania:
Fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
tanzania:
Fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
tanzania:
Common
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days