Is an international driving permit mandatory?
Legal framework:
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. 1949 Geneva Convention format — 1-year validity.
Rules of conduct in South Africa
Speed Limit :
60 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on secondary roads and 120 km/h on national roads and motorways.
Authorized blood alcohol level: 0.5 g/l (proposed laws regularly aim for zero tolerance).
Seat belts are mandatory.
Cell phones are prohibited.
The International License is required by almost all vehicle rental companies, necessarily accompanied by the national driving license (which must be printed in English or accompanied by a certified translation).
Tips from easy-idp.org
"Attention, driving is on the LEFT.
A very important local particularity is the four-way stop intersection: the first vehicle to arrive at the stop line is the first to proceed.
On single-lane roads, it is courteous to pull over to the emergency shoulder (if clear and separated by a continuous yellow line) to let a faster vehicle pass; the latter will often thank you with a flash of their hazard lights (warning).
Never drive at night in rural areas (risks of wild animals on the road and safety risks).
Always keep your doors locked."
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