Driving in Albania vs. South Africa: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Albania and South Africa presents distinct rules and practices that are crucial for ensuring safe journeys. While Albania follows right-hand traffic, South Africa adheres to the left. Speed limits vary significantly, with urban zones seeing differences in regulations. Understanding these contrasts not only promotes awareness but also enhances road safety for travelers navigating these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
albania:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
albania:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
albania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay