Driving in Japan vs. South Africa: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Japan and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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, overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | 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 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
japan:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay