Driving in Qatar vs. South Africa: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the driving landscape of Qatar and South Africa reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices. While Qatar drives on the right, South Africa adheres to the left. Understanding these variations, from speed limits to traffic signal protocols, is essential for ensuring safe navigation in each country. Discover how these differences can impact your journey.
Lanes
| Qatar | 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 only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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 |
Driving Side
qatar:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
qatar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
qatar:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
qatar:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
qatar:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
qatar:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 60 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
qatar:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
qatar:
60 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
qatar:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
qatar:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
qatar:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
qatar:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
qatar:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
qatar:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Qatar | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Qatar | 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 | Annual inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
qatar:
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
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
qatar:
Annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
qatar:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Qatar | 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
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; penalties are severe | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
qatar:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
qatar:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
qatar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or local authorities | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services | 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
qatar:
999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
qatar:
999 or local authorities
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Qatar | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Minimum 500 QR | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, or online payment options | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay