• Home
• | Terms & conditions
• | Contact us
• | RSS

Driving in South Africa

South Africa has excellent road infrastructure, large vehicle hire fleets run by international and local rental companies, great weather and plenty of stunning scenery – which combines to make self-driving a viable and enjoyable option. If you're thinking of taking it, here's a few tips to enhance your trip.

Car hire

Most car rental companies (see the links on the right) are represented at South Africa's main airports and in most city centres. Subject to fees which vary, vehicles may generally be picked up at one centre and dropped off at a branch in another centre.

It is advisable to take out the insurance offered by the vehicle rental companies, unless you have specific cover in place. All major credit cards are accepted.

Driver's licences

Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.

However, vehicle hire companies may also require an international driver's licence. It is worth confirming this with your travel agent or the vehicle hire company when making your booking.

This holds for additional drivers as well, who must be identified when you hire your vehicle.

Keep left, belt up, think kilometres

South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are therefore right-hand drive vehicles, the gear shift being operated with the left hand).

All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are marked in kilometres.

Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit if you want to speak on your mobile phone.

Speed limit

The general speed limit on South Africa's national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph), unless otherwise indicated. Check the road signs.

Filling up

Various types of petrol (gas) are available in South Africa: unleaded, 97-, 95- or 93-octane ("super" or "premium"). The 95-octane petrol is available at higher altitude, as well as 93-octane. At the coast, your choice is between 95- and 97-octane.

Diesel is available with 0.05% sulphur content and 0.005% sulphur content.

Hire cars are more likely to require unleaded petrol, but check before you set off.

South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, ask if you'd like your oil and water and tire pressure checked, and offer to clean your windscreen – for which he or she will expect a tip of two to three rand.

Driving around the country

Our road infrastructure is excellent, so driving between cities and towns is a viable option – and, given the stunning scenery in many parts of the country, a highly enjoyable one.

However, South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.

Petrol stations are found on both the main and country roads, most of them open 24 hours a day, although some keep shorter hours. However, distances between towns (and therefore between petrol stations) are considerable in some parts of the country, so remember to check the fuel gauge before passing up the opportunity to fill up.

While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.

Road info, maps

Current information on the conditions of roads can be obtained through the Automobile Association of South Africa. The AA also provides invaluable guides for road users in the form of strip maps tailored for specific destinations and information for tourists on accommodation en route.

• Automobile Association: Maps and Route Planner
• Maps of South Africa

Toll roads

Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay.

Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from R2.50 to R61.00 per toll plaza – and you may pass through three or four of these before you reach your destination.

• Automobile Association: Toll plazas and fees

Animals in rural areas

In many of South Africa's rural areas, the roads are not fenced, so watch out dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road. These can be particularly hazardous at night.

Large antelope crossing the road can also pose a danger in certain areas – if you see road signs depicting a leaping antelope, take it slowly, especially towards evening.

SAinfo reporter