Driving Differences: Mozambique vs. South Africa
When navigating the roads of Mozambique and South Africa, drivers encounter notable variations in traffic regulations, speed limits, and lane usage. This comparison highlights critical distinctions, such as bus lane presence in South Africa, differing speed limits, and unique traffic signage, ensuring travelers prioritize safety and awareness while abroad.
Lanes
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centers the road for no-passing zones. | 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 allowed. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | 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 | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
mozambique:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
mozambique:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-60 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 | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
mozambique:
60 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mozambique:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mozambique | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; 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
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Mozambique | 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 | 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
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mozambique:
Annually
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in urban 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
mozambique:
0.06%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
mozambique:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
mozambique:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 121 | 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
mozambique:
119
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
mozambique:
121
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mozambique:
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
mozambique:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mozambique | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mozambique:
Fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
mozambique:
Fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay