Driving Safety: South Africa vs Vanuatu Differences
When navigating the roads of South Africa and Vanuatu, significant distinctions emerge in regulations and practices. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore this comparison to enhance your awareness and drive safely in these unique locales.
Lanes
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
south africa:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
south africa:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay