Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Antigua and Barbuda compared to South Africa, travelers must be aware of significant variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane markings to overtaking rules, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad. Explore the unique driving landscapes of these two nations for a safer journey.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
south africa:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay