Driving Safety: Costa Rica vs South Africa Insights
When exploring the roads of Costa Rica and South Africa, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and driving customs. Notable differences include driving on the right in Costa Rica versus the left in South Africa, and varying speed limits in urban and rural areas. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure and informed journey abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Costa rica | 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 required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | 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
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay