Driving in Madagascar vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When venturing into Madagascar or South Africa, understanding the distinct roadway practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Notably, Madagascar drives on the right, while South Africa adheres to the left. Additionally, speed limits and lane usages vary significantly, making it crucial for travelers to familiarize themselves with these key contrasts before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | 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 recommended; local conditions may vary. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
south africa:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay