Driving Differences: China vs. South Africa Explained
When exploring the diverse landscapes of China and South Africa, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. From driving sides and lane markings to speed limits and alcohol thresholds, this comparison reveals notable distinctions. Familiarizing yourself with these essential guidelines can enhance your travel experience and ensure safety on the roads.
Lanes
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks 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 certain cases; check local rules. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
south africa:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
south africa:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
south africa:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
south africa:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | 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
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 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) |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Penalties And Fines
| China | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay