Driving in Indonesia vs. South Africa: Key Differences
The driving landscape in Indonesia and South Africa presents fascinating contrasts that are crucial for maintaining road safety abroad. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed regulations, and alcohol limits, which reflect unique cultural norms and legal frameworks. Understanding these variations will help ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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 | 50-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; 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
indonesia:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay