Driving in Samoa vs. South Africa: Key Differences Unveiled
Embarking on a journey through Samoa or South Africa? Understanding the nuances of road regulations in each country is essential for a secure driving experience. From speed limits to lane usage, significant contrasts exist, such as South Africa's allowance for right-side overtaking compared to Samoa's strict left-only rules. Drive informed and stay safe abroad!
Lanes
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way 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 | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Samoa | 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 windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | 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: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
samoa:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay