Driving in Tanzania vs United Kingdom: Key Differences
Explore the fascinating contrast in road regulations between Tanzania and the United Kingdom. Key takeaways include distinct lane markings, speed limits, and overtaking rules. While Tanzania allows right-side overtaking, the UK emphasizes safety with its strict adherence to lane discipline and variable speed limits, ensuring a safer driving experience for residents and travelers alike.
Lanes
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
tanzania:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
tanzania:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
tanzania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
tanzania:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
tanzania:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tanzania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
tanzania:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
tanzania:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tanzania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tanzania:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Tanzania | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Swahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
tanzania:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
tanzania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
tanzania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tanzania:
Required annually
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate usage compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines apply | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
tanzania:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tanzania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
tanzania:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
tanzania:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
tanzania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
tanzania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tanzania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties can be severe | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Penalties enforced | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tanzania:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
tanzania:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
tanzania:
Common
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay