Driving in Guatemala vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the unique roads of Guatemala and South Africa, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for safe travel. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Guatemala versus the left in South Africa, as well as varying speed limits and road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | N/A | 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 with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in South Africa |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 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) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay