Driving in New Zealand vs. South Africa: A Safety Guide
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations can significantly enhance your safety and experience. This comparison highlights the key distinctions between New Zealand and South Africa, from lane markings and speed limits to emergency protocols. Prepare yourself with essential knowledge to navigate these unique environments confidently.
Lanes
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
new zealand:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in South Africa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| New zealand | 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
new zealand:
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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay