Driving in Myanmar vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Myanmar and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. Notably, Myanmar adheres to right-hand traffic, while South Africa drives on the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and vehicle protocols vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of understanding these driving nuances for a safer and more enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the 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 | No, overtaking is on the right. | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
myanmar:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 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 | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
myanmar:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
myanmar:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Myanmar | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Burmese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Myanmar | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use, more common in cities | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; often during festivals | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
myanmar:
0.03%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | 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
myanmar:
199
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Myanmar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine enforced; mandatory use | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay