Driving in Latvia vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Latvia and South Africa, understanding the distinct regulations and road practices is essential for a secure journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides—right in Latvia and left in South Africa—as well as varying speed limits and traffic protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts can greatly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Latvia | 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 | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
latvia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
latvia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not used in South Africa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
latvia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 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: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
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: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay