Driving in Cambodia vs. South Africa: Key Differences
Driving in Cambodia and South Africa reveals distinct contrasts in road rules and safety protocols. While Cambodians navigate on the right side, South Africans follow the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations also differ significantly, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these vital nuances for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
cambodia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cambodia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cambodia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Khmer and English; 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
cambodia:
N/A
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 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
cambodia:
119
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; penalties applied | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay