Driving in Slovakia vs South Africa: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Slovakia and South Africa, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for a secure journey. From varying driving sides to speed limits and emergency protocols, these countries showcase notable contrasts. Discover how these differences impact your travel experience and ensure your safety while navigating their unique traffic environments.
Lanes
| Slovakia | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
slovakia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
slovakia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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 | 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: 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
slovakia:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovakia:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovakia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovak; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Slovakia | 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 along with local license | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and regular inspections required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovakia | 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
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
slovakia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
slovakia:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service | 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
slovakia:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
slovakia:
158
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovakia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 to €150, points in some regions | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100 to €200, points in some regions | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 to €250, points on license possible | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
slovakia:
Common
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay