Driving in Tanzania for foreigners | Rules & Requirements
Driving in Tanzania requires driving on the left side of the road, and you must carry your home country driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Always follow strict speed limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on highways, and 30-40 km/h in national parks.
Tanzania requires you to drive on the left, but most rental cars have the steering wheel on the right. This feels like sitting on the passenger side in the U.S. Use a car with a manual transmission only if you are very comfortable shifting with your left hand.
Rental companies often require drivers to be at least 23 to 25 years old. You must always carry mandatory safety gear in your car: a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and two warning triangles.
Speed limits are strictly enforced by police radar, and there are many police checkpoints. A fine must typically be paid on the spot.
Rules of the Road:
Limits: The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%. However, Tanzania has a strict zero-tolerance attitude toward drunk driving, so it is safest to not drink at all.
Hazards: Watch out for cows, goats, and pedestrians on the road.
National Parks: Off-road driving is banned in parks like the Serengeti. You must stay on marked roads at all times.