Driving in Slovenia vs South Africa: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Slovenia and South Africa. From the distinct sides of the road to varying speed limits and traffic signals, this comparison highlights crucial aspects that affect traveler safety. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure journey while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Slovenia | 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | 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. |
Driving Side
slovenia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
slovenia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovenia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Slovenia | 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
slovenia:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
slovenia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovenia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
slovenia:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovenia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovenian; 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
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
slovenia:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits | 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 windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovenia | 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
slovenia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside checks conducted | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines; varies based on offense | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
slovenia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
slovenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1987 for AMZS | 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
slovenia:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
slovenia:
113
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovenia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, €120 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, €120 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, €250 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 8 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay