Driving in Paraguay vs. South Africa: Key Safety Differences
As you explore the distinct road regulations of Paraguay and South Africa, you'll discover key contrasts in traffic practices and safety protocols. From varying speed limits to lane usage and emergency vehicle protocols, understanding these unique driving customs is essential for a secure journey. Prepare to navigate these diverse landscapes with confidence!
Lanes
| Paraguay | 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 | Rarely, usually prohibited. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
paraguay:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
paraguay:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 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 | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
paraguay:
40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
paraguay:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
paraguay:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Paraguay | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; standard symbols used as well | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle windshield | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to allow passage | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police checkpoints | 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: Professional Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
paraguay:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
paraguay:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
paraguay:
911
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
paraguay:
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
paraguay:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Paraguay | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas | 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 | Substantial fines and penalties | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay