Brazil vs South Africa: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Brazil and South Africa, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is crucial for a secure journey. Notably, Brazil drives on the right while South Africa adheres to the left, affecting lane usage and overtaking practices. Additionally, speed limits differ significantly, with stricter regulations in urban zones in Brazil. Discover more to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Brazil | 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 | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
Driving Side
brazil:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay