Driving Differences: Portugal vs South Africa Explained
When exploring the roads of Portugal and South Africa, drivers will encounter notable variances in regulations and practices. From differing lane usages—where Portugal drives on the right and South Africa on the left—to distinct speed limits and traffic protocols, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Dive into this comparison to navigate effectively and stay secure on your travels.
Lanes
| Portugal | 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 | Prohibited. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
portugal:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
portugal:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| 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 | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 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 | Possible | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | 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: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | 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
portugal:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | 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
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay