Driving in Bolivia vs. South Africa: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact their journey. Key differences arise in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic management. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad and promoting road safety while exploring these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | 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: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this 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
bolivia:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay