Ecuador vs South Africa: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Ecuador and South Africa, understanding regional regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Ecuador versus the left in South Africa, different speed limits, and unique signaling practices. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your driving experience and ensure safety abroad.
Lanes
| Ecuador | 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 with 'BUS' in some areas. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
ecuador:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ecuador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ecuador:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 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 | 90 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 | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
ecuador:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ecuador:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Ecuador | 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 in Ecuador | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
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
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Ecuador | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Ecuador | 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 is mandatory | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
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
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | 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 | Frequent use in urban areas. | 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
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
south africa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
south africa:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
south africa:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | 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
ecuador:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
south africa:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
south africa:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
south africa:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
south africa:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
south africa:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
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
| Ecuador | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
south africa:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
south africa:
Possible if fines are not paid