Driving Safety: Tanzania vs. Uzbekistan Road Rules
When exploring the roads of Tanzania and Uzbekistan, understanding their distinct regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key disparities include driving sides—left in Tanzania versus right in Uzbekistan—and varying speed limits across urban and rural areas. Familiarizing yourself with these driving practices can significantly enhance your safety and confidence while traveling in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
tanzania:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
tanzania:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
tanzania:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
tanzania:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tanzania:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
tanzania:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tanzania:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Tanzania | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Swahili; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
tanzania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
tanzania:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tanzania:
Required annually
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate usage compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
tanzania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines apply | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
tanzania:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tanzania:
0.05%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tanzania:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
tanzania:
Common
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
tanzania:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
tanzania:
112
uzbekistan:
102
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tanzania | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties can be severe | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Penalties enforced | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tanzania:
Fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
tanzania:
Fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
tanzania:
Common
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
tanzania:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines