Driving Differences: Libya vs South Africa Explained
When traversing the roads of Libya and South Africa, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Notably, Libya drives on the right while South Africa adheres to the left. From speed limits to emergency protocols, this comparison unveils vital variations that can significantly impact your travel experience. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | 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 | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
libya:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 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 | 70 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: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
libya:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
libya:
193
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay