Driving Differences: South Africa vs. Turkey Explained
When comparing the road regulations of South Africa and Turkey, notable distinctions emerge that can significantly impact travelers. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating the streets abroad.
Lanes
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges