Driving in Montenegro vs South Africa: Key Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Montenegro and South Africa, understanding the unique driving regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions, such as driving on the right in Montenegro versus the left in South Africa, alongside varying speed limits and traffic protocols, can significantly impact your experience. Prepare yourself with this vital comparison for safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Montenegro | 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 | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | 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 with road signs and pavement markings. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
montenegro:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
montenegro:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
montenegro:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
montenegro:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | 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 | Yes, periodic inspections 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
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | 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
montenegro:
0.03%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
montenegro:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
montenegro:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | 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
montenegro:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay