Azerbaijan vs South Africa: Driving Rules You Must Know
When exploring the roads of Azerbaijan and South Africa, understanding the unique driving regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. From differing speed limits to lane usage and overtaking rules, these countries present distinct contrasts. Discover how navigating these roads can vary dramatically between the right-side driving of Azerbaijan and the left-side driving of South Africa.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided 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 | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
azerbaijan:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
azerbaijan:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
azerbaijan:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
south africa:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
azerbaijan:
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
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
azerbaijan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
azerbaijan:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
azerbaijan:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
azerbaijan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | 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
azerbaijan:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | 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
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay