Driving in Egypt vs. South Africa: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey through Egypt or South Africa? Understanding the distinct regulations and practices on the roads is crucial for safe navigation. From driving sides and lane markings to speed limits and horn regulations, this comparison highlights key contrasts that ensure your travels are both smooth and secure in these vibrant nations..
Lanes
| Egypt | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
egypt:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes, common in South Africa |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
south africa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
south africa:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
south africa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
egypt:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay