Driving in South Africa vs. Spain: Key Differences Uncovered
When navigating the roads of South Africa and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their experiences. From lane usage—where South Africans drive on the left and Spaniards on the right—to varying speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Equip yourself with this knowledge for safer travels!
Lanes
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south africa:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay