Driving in Bhutan vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and South Africa, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance. While Bhutan emphasizes caution with lower speed thresholds, South Africa offers a more structured approach to road etiquette and enforcement. Stay informed for a safer travel experience!
Lanes
| Bhutan | 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 | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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. |
| 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
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 vehicle inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
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
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 | Fines enforced | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay