Driving in Colombia vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and South Africa, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key variations include the driving side, speed limits, and road signage. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances ensures not just compliance but enhanced safety while exploring these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| 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 | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | 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
colombia:
0.04%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 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
colombia:
123
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay