Driving Differences: South Africa vs. Uzbekistan
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving norms between South Africa and Uzbekistan. While South Africa mandates left-side driving, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side rules. Speed limits and overtaking protocols also vary, underscoring the importance of understanding local practices to ensure safe travels in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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 discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
south africa:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
| 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
south africa:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines