Driving in Algeria vs South Africa: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the diverse roads of Algeria and South Africa, it's crucial to understand the unique regulations and practices that govern their transportation systems. From varying speed limits to distinct lane usages and overtaking rules, these contrasts significantly impact safety and compliance. Prepare for a journey enriched by awareness and adaptability as you explore these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Algeria | 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 | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay