Driving in Liechtenstein vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Liechtenstein and South Africa, significant distinctions emerge that affect driving experiences and safety. Notably, Liechtenstein drives on the right, while South Africa adheres to the left. Additionally, speed limits and the presence of bus lanes differ considerably, emphasizing the need for drivers to stay informed for safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | 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 on multi-lane roads or 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 typically used in Liechtenstein. | 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: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
liechtenstein:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
liechtenstein:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | 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 | 80 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: Buses And Vans | 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; 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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Required annually | 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | 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
liechtenstein:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay