Driving Differences: Jordan vs. South Africa Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Jordan and South Africa reveals intriguing contrasts: while Jordan drives on the right, South Africa opts for the left. Additionally, speed limits and road markings differ, underscoring the importance of familiarizing oneself with local road customs.
Lanes
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | 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 only on multi-lane urban roads. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | 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; primarily in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
jordan:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jordan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
jordan:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | To avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; 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
jordan:
Not typically used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Jordan | 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 | Annual inspections required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use is common | 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
jordan:
Moderate use is common
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | 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 |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jordan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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 | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jordan:
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
jordan:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay