Driving in Peru vs. South Africa: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a journey through Peru and South Africa offers a striking contrast in road regulations and driving customs. Key distinctions, such as the driving side—right in Peru and left in South Africa—highlight the importance of understanding local practices for safe navigation. Stay informed to ensure a secure travel experience in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Peru | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
peru:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
peru:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
peru:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
peru:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
south africa:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Peru | 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
peru:
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
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | 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
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
peru:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | 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
peru:
105
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay