Driving Differences: France vs. South Africa Explained
When comparing the road rules of France and South Africa, significant distinctions emerge. From driving sides to speed limits and lane usage, each country offers unique regulations that impact safety on the roads. Understanding these variations is essential for travelers seeking to navigate these diverse environments confidently.
Lanes
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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
france:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in South Africa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay