Driving in Tanzania vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Tanzania and Vanuatu, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and customs that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Tanzania versus the right in Vanuatu, varying speed limits, and unique protocols for emergency vehicles. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey in both destinations.
Lanes
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
tanzania:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
tanzania:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
tanzania:
Yes
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tanzania:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
tanzania:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tanzania:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tanzania:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Tanzania | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Swahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
tanzania:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
tanzania:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tanzania:
Required annually
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines apply | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
tanzania:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tanzania:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tanzania:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
tanzania:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
tanzania:
112
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tanzania | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties can be severe | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Penalties enforced | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Phone Use
tanzania:
Fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
tanzania:
Common
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations