Driving in Czech Republic vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Czech Republic and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their journeys. From differing lane usage to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience in each country. Prepare for a safe adventure by familiarizing yourself with these essential contrasts.
Lanes
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only 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 specific road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
czech republic:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
czech republic:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 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, commonly applied | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
czech republic:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Not used in South Africa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
south africa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
south africa:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
south africa:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
south africa:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
south africa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
south africa:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
south africa:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
south africa:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
south africa:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
south africa:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
south africa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
south africa:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
south africa:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
south africa:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
south africa:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
south africa:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
south africa:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
south africa:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
south africa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
czech republic:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
south africa:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
south africa:
Possible if fines are not paid