Driving in Romania vs. South Africa: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Romania and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their experience. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varied speed limits, and unique traffic signals. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Romania | 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
romania:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
romania:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
south africa:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Romania | 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Romania | 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 | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Considerable fines for offenses | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
romania:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
south africa:
Possible if fines are not paid