Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. South Africa
Exploring the diverse road rules between Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa reveals crucial distinctions for travelers. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits, understanding these regulations is essential for ensuring safety abroad. This comparison highlights key variations, helping you navigate each country's unique driving landscape with confidence.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
bosnia and herzegovina:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 | Common | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay