Driving in India vs South Africa: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safety. This comparison highlights key distinctions between India and South Africa, from lane markings and speed limits to emergency protocols. Discover how these two nations prioritize roadway etiquette and enforcement as you prepare for a secure driving experience overseas.
Lanes
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
south africa:
Yes
Speeds Limits
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
south africa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay