Kenya Highway Code and Driving Rules Lecture

These flashcards cover key Kenyan Highway Code rules, traffic signs, safe-driving procedures, and vehicle regulations discussed in the lecture.

What is the rule of the road in Kenya?

Keep left unless overtaking.

Which three documents must be valid before you drive?

Valid driving licence, valid insurance certificate, and valid vehicle inspection certificate.

From which side do you normally overtake another vehicle?

The right-hand side.

During daylight, when may you turn on your lights?

In fog, heavy rain, mist, or an emergency.

Name four vehicles that have right-of-way when their siren is sounding.

Ambulance, fire engine, presidential escort, and police car.

What is the maximum speed limit in Kenyan towns?

50 km/h.

What is the highway speed limit for pick-ups or lorries?

80 km/h.

What is the highway speed limit for cars in Kenya?

110 km/h.

What is the highway speed limit for trailers?

65 km/h.

Give three conditions when you must NOT drive even with valid documents.

When sick, drunk, or under the influence of drugs/fatigue.

What is the Highway Code?

An official, parliament-approved booklet of rules for road users.

When passing stationary vehicles, what two hazards should you watch for?

Opening doors and pedestrians crossing.

List four essential tools to carry on safari.

Car jack, spare wheel, spotlight, and fire extinguisher.

State four common causes of road accidents in Kenya.

Drunkenness, overspeeding, overloading, and carelessness.

How many wheels does a saloon car have?

Five – four on the road and one spare.

How many "eyes" does a driver effectively use?

Three – two natural eyes and one artificial (mirror).

What should you do first after receiving your driving licence?

Check all details and sign it in ink.

What does a continuous white line on a one-way road mean?

No changing lanes.

Within what period must an accident be reported to police in Kenya?

As soon as possible, but within 24 hours.

Define a pedestrian crossing.

A designated safe place for pedestrians to cross the road.

What is the main rule of the model town board?

Use the shortest correct route without parking; Use the longest correct route without the parking; use parking only if no other route exists.

Green traffic light means GO except when?

When there is oncoming traffic from the right or when stopped by a police officer.

Name four places where stopping is prohibited.

On a roundabout, at a junction, in the centre of the road, or where a No-Stopping sign is posted.

What is a vehicle?

An automobile power-driven machine.

What is a lane?

A path designated to be followed by a vehicle.

Where should you NOT overtake?

At a junction, where a No-Overtaking sign exists, or on a roundabout.

List three legal situations that require you to stop the car.

At a STOP sign, when ordered by police, and at a red traffic light.

Who is classified as a pedestrian?

A road user on foot.

When must you consult your mirrors while driving?

Before overtaking, changing lanes, or stopping.

What distance should you keep behind another vehicle in town?

Far enough to see the rear wheels or number plate of the vehicle ahead.

What do the letters EAK on a Kenyan driving licence stand for?

East Africa Kenya.

How do you enter an uncontrolled roundabout safely?

Ensure no vehicle is approaching from your right.

Give four DON'Ts of holding a steering wheel.

Don't criss-cross hands, hold with one hand, grip too tightly, or rest your elbow on the wheel.

Who carries the STOP CHILDREN CROSSING sign?

A school warden.

Why press the clutch when engaging gears?

To disconnect the gearbox from the engine.

What must you NOT do when being overtaken?

Accelerate.

Give three occasions when overtaking on the left is allowed.

When the vehicle ahead is turning right, on a multi-lane one-way road, or if the right lane is blocked/slow and space exists on the left.

When should you dip (dim) your headlights at night?

When meeting an oncoming vehicle, passing a pedestrian, or driving in a well-lit area.

List four places where hooting is prohibited.

Near a hospital, school, law courts, or where a 'No Hooting' sign is displayed.

At what evening times should you switch on parking and head lights?

Parking lights at 6:30 p.m., headlights at 6:45 p.m.

What must you do before getting out of your vehicle?

Check the side mirror or look over your right shoulder.

Name four critical parts that require regular maintenance.

Brakes, steering, wheels, and lights.

Give four places where parking is prohibited.

Centre of the road, where a No-Parking sign exists, at a junction, or at bus stops.

Define a caravan.

A mobile, engine-less unit towed for accommodation.

Describe the night procedure at an uncontrolled railway crossing.

Stop, dim lights, listen; if no train is heard, proceed.

State four common mistakes made when approaching a roundabout.

Wrong lane approach, changing lanes on the roundabout, exiting into the wrong lane, and watching traffic from the wrong side.

List five ways to keep a vehicle roadworthy.

Regular servicing; check steering, brakes, wheels, mirrors, wipers, and lights.

How should you approach a pedestrian crossing?

Alert and at a controllable speed, ready to stop.

What are the two main recommended steering-wheel hand positions?

10-to-2 and quarter-to-3.

If lights turn amber immediately after green, what should you do?

Proceed only if you have already crossed the stop line; otherwise slow down and prepare to stop.

Where should you position the vehicle when turning left at a junction?

At the extreme left.

Where should you position the vehicle when turning right at a junction?

At the extreme right.

What does a green arrow filter on traffic lights mean?

You may proceed only in the direction shown by the arrow.

Which vehicles must undergo periodic inspection?

Pick-ups/lorries and trailers.

Which gear is considered the strongest and why?

Reverse gear, because it has no alternative gear.

Why should you look right twice when approaching a junction?

Because the right side poses the nearest danger.

Outline a safe overtaking procedure.

Slow slightly, signal, ensure the road is clear, overtake, signal left, and return to your lane.

Traffic lights show green but an officer signals you to stop. Whom do you obey?

The police officer.

What is a 'hard shoulder way' according to the notes?

A road section where bumps are placed closely together.

What is another name for a Give-Way sign?

Yield.

Differentiate between a street and an avenue.

A street is bordered by buildings; an avenue is bordered by vegetation.

What does a flashing amber traffic light indicate?

Proceed with caution (control yourself).

Which mechanical signal should you use after an accident in the road?

Hazard lights.

Define coasting in driving.

Driving for a long distance in one gear (often with clutch disengaged).

What is a three-point turn?

Turning a vehicle to face the opposite direction using forward and reverse gears.

Describe standard road warning signs.

Red borders, triangular shape, apex pointing upward.

Give two examples of caravans.

Side car and mobile toilet.

Which hoot is generally sounded only once?

A warning hoot.

List eight mechanical signals found on a saloon car.

Headlights, parking lights, brake lights, reverse lights, indicators, number-plate lights, interior lights, and hazard lights.

Why must every vehicle be insured?

For financial security and protection.

What does PDL stand for?

Provisional Driving Licence.

Why did the government introduce speed governors and seat belts?

To limit speed and reduce injuries in accidents.

Into how many groups are Class A signs subdivided?

Three groups.

What is the meaning of a yellow-painted kerb?

No parking, no waiting, and sometimes no stopping.

What does a double continuous centre line signify?

You must not cross the lines to overtake; keep to your side.

From which road to which road is reversing prohibited?

From a side road onto a main road.

During dark hours, what ultimately limits your speed?

The range of your headlights (visibility).

How should you drive past animals on the road?

Slowly, with plenty of room, and without hooting.

If an oncoming driver fails to dip lights at night, what should you do?

Slow down, flash your lights three times, dip yours, and stop if necessary.

Give three indicators of an accident ahead.

Warning triangle/lifesaver, flashing emergency vehicles, or a line of slow/ stopped traffic.

What arm signal tells a traffic officer you intend to go straight?

Left hand raised vertically, palm facing forward.

When should sunglasses NOT be worn while driving?

At night or in poor visibility.

List the safety steps after your vehicle breaks down on the road.

Move it off the road if possible, switch on hazard lights, place lifesaver triangles at least 50 m front and rear.

Apart from a helmet, name three items a motorcyclist should wear.

Eye protection, strong boots, and gloves/protective clothing.

When must a motorcyclist have lights switched on?

Always, so that other road users can see them.

State four code points about carrying a passenger on a motorcycle.

Carry only one passenger, provide a proper seat and secure fastening, supply proper footrests, and both wear an approved helmet.

When may you overtake on the left in queuing traffic?

If the right-hand lane is moving slower than your lane.

At junctions of equal importance, to whom do you give way?

Traffic coming from the right and traffic already turning.

At a STOP sign without a white line, where must you stop?

Precisely at the STOP sign.

Why is a STOP sign octagonal and a YIELD sign inverted triangular?

So they can be recognised even if snow or dirt obscures them.

What position should you take for a right turn at the end of a one-way street?

The extreme right lane.

What do white zig-zag lines on the road indicate?

A zebra crossing ahead—no overtaking or parking.

How do you identify a zebra crossing at night?

By the yellow flashing beacons.

What does an island in the centre of a pedestrian crossing mean?

Each side of the island is a separate crossing.

State the horn-use restriction in built-up areas.

No horn between 11:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except in an emergency.

List six situations when you should dip headlights at night.

Meeting oncoming traffic, following close behind, on well-lit roads, at dawn/dusk, in fog or snow, and when approaching a junction.

What should you do if dazzled by oncoming headlights?

Slow down and stop if necessary.

Define a Clearway.

A road section where stopping and parking are prohibited (except buses/taxis) during the times shown.

What does a broken yellow line denote?

The edge of the roadway or hard shoulder.

What does a single continuous yellow line mean?

No parking at certain times (usually working hours).