Driving Differences: South Africa vs Uganda Explained
When navigating the roads of South Africa and Uganda, it's vital to understand the unique aspects of each nation's traffic regulations and customs. While both countries have their own set of rules, key distinctions emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and penalties. This comparison aims to inform travelers, ensuring a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Not allowed |
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
uganda:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
uganda:
Not allowed
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 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: 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 | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
uganda:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Uganda |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in certain situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Alcohol
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Fines 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%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
uganda:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uganda:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket