Driving Differences: Bahamas vs South Africa Explained
When navigating the roads of the Bahamas and South Africa, significant distinctions emerge in traffic regulations and driving practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance, each country presents a unique set of rules that impact road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
south africa:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
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
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | 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
bahamas:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; 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
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay