Driving Differences: South Africa vs Trinidad and Tobago
When navigating the roads of South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that ensure safety on their journeys. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and overtaking rules, highlighting the importance of understanding local traffic norms for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the right 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 | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
south africa:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
Flashing Lights: Usage
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Alcohol
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days