Driving on the Left in Kenya: A Guide to Car Hire for Visitors

Before you leave the car park in Nairobi, take a moment to work out your first turn, especially if you usually drive on the right. Set the mirrors. Check where the indicators are, and give yourself time to get comfortable before joining traffic.

Kenya drives on the left. The US Department of State's Kenya advice confirms the rule, so plan for left-side traffic from the moment you collect your hire car, even for a short drive to your hotel.

This article provides general information, not legal advice or a substitute for driving instruction. Before making any decision, refer to the current Kenyan law and applicable regulations. Confirm legal requirements with NTSA or a qualified Kenyan legal adviser.

Left-side traffic and the driver's seat

Expect the steering wheel on the right. That's what "right-hand drive" means, while "driving on the left" tells you which side of the road to use when you take the car out.

Ask questions while parked. At collection, have the team show you the wipers and any unfamiliar controls, since their positions can change from one model to the next. Adjust your seat before departure.

An automatic gives you fewer controls to manage as you get used to the car's width and road position, but you'll still need to watch traffic and choose your lane carefully.

Give yourself time before the first journey

New to left-side driving? Ask about a safe, permitted place to get familiar with the rental car before entering busy traffic, and consider driving instruction if you're unsure of your ability.

At a hotel exit or petrol station, pause and check both directions before joining the road, taking time to identify the lane you need. Quiet roads need attention too. Without other cars ahead, you'll have to make that lane choice yourself.

Set navigation before you move. If you miss a turn in Nairobi, carry on until you can change direction safely instead of making a sudden lane change or stopping in traffic to check your phone.

Arriving tired after a flight? Ask us about a transfer to your accommodation and a later self-drive collection, so you can rest before taking the wheel in an unfamiliar city.

Junctions, roundabouts and overtaking

Traffic moves clockwise around roundabouts. Approach slowly enough to read the signs and lane markings, give way as directed, and check for pedestrians and motorcycles before you enter or leave.

Overtake on the right only where it's permitted and safe, with enough space and a clear view of the road ahead to complete the manoeuvre. Can't see far enough? Wait until you can. Kenya's Traffic Act and subsidiary rules explain keeping left, overtaking exceptions and roundabout lanes.

At controlled junctions, follow traffic officers and signals rather than copying the car ahead, whose driver may have made an unsafe or unlawful move.

Plan for Kenyan road conditions

Leave room for rest stops. Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport names speeding, dangerous overtaking and driver fatigue among the causes of road crashes in its road-safety statement. If you fall behind your itinerary, adjust the arrival time instead of trying to recover those minutes by driving faster.

Aim to arrive in daylight. Australia's Smartraveller advice for Kenya recommends avoiding night travel on rural roads and major highways into and out of Nairobi, and warns against driving through flooded areas.

Follow the posted speed limit and any restriction for your vehicle, then slow down further if rain, traffic or the road surface makes that necessary.

Which hire car suits your route?

How many bags are coming? For a trip mainly on paved roads, ask about a car that fits everyone comfortably with the luggage in the boot, and confirm the transmission before booking.

For a safari trip, send the team your route and accommodation details so you can discuss ground clearance, four-wheel drive and the access road from the main road. Check the specific vehicle. An SUV may lack 4WD or be unsuitable for the route you've chosen.

Inspect the spare wheel too. During handover, check it and the other tyres with the team, locate the supplied jack and tools, and confirm which fuel the car takes. Save the breakdown contact before leaving. Record existing damage and read the rental terms, paying attention to insurance exclusions and restrictions on where you can take the vehicle.

Prefer a driver? EliteMotion offers chauffeur-driven car hire as well as self-drive, so ask for a quotation based on your dates and route if you'd rather leave the driving to someone else. Service details are in our rental FAQs.

Licences and trips beyond Kenya

Check your licence before booking. The issuing country, licence format and length of your stay affect what you'll need, so use our foreign driving licence and IDP guide to find the official guidance and questions to put to NTSA.

Continuing beyond Kenya? Tanzania also drives on the left, according to Canada's travel advice, but check each country on your itinerary separately before relying on a map of driving sides across Africa.

Get written rental approval first. Before planning a border crossing, confirm that the vehicle can enter the destination country and that its insurance and border documents cover your intended journey.

When you browse EliteMotion's fleet, keep your passenger count and luggage in mind, then send us your dates and route with your preference for self-drive or a chauffeur.

Sources checked on 13 September 2026. Check current laws, travel advice and rental terms before departure.