Rules of the Road
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2) No person shall drive a vehicle on, over, across or within any dividing space, barrier or section, except through an opening in such space, barrier or section or at a cross-over or intersection: Provided that no person shall so drive through any such opening or at any such cross-over or intersection where such driving is prohibited by an appropriate road traffic sign or by a traffic officer: Provided further that these provisions shall not apply to a traffic officer in the performance of his or her duties. |
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Passing of vehicle1) The driver of a vehicle intending to pass any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction on a public road shall pass to the right thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive on the left side of the roadway until safely clear of the vehicle so passed: (c) such road is a public road in an urban area and the roadway is of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles moving in each direction;(d) the roadway of such road is restricted to vehicles moving in one direction and is divided into traffic lanes by appropriate road traffic signs; or e) he or she is driving in compliance with the directions of a traffic officer or is driving in traffic which is under the general direction of such officer, and in accordance with such direction:Provided further that in no event shall any passing referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) be done by driving on the shoulders of the roadway or on the verge of the public road concerned. |
2) The driver of a vehicle shall not pass other traffic proceeding in the same direction on a public road when approaching –(a) the summit of a rise;(b) a curve; or(c) any other place, where his or her view is so restricted that any such passing could create a hazard in relation to other traffic which might approach from the opposite direction, unless (i) he or she can do so without encroaching on the right hand side of the roadway; or (ii) the roadway of such road is restricted to vehicles moving in one direction. |
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Prohibition on driving on shoulder of public road, except in certain circumstances1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the shoulder of a public road. 2) The driver of a motor vehicle may, during the period between sunrise and sunset, drive such motor vehicle on the shoulder of a public road which is designated for one lane of traffic in each direction- (a) while such motor vehicle is being overtaken by another vehicle; and (b) if he or she can do so without endangering himself or herself, other traffic, pedestrians or property on such public road; (c) if persons and vehicles upon a public road are clearly discernible at a distance of at least 150 metres. |
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Crossing or entering public road or traffic lane1) The driver of a vehicle shall not cross a public road unless the road is clear of moving traffic for a sufficient distance to allow him or her to cross the road without obstructing or endangering any such traffic. 2) The driver of a vehicle shall not enter a public road unless he or she can do so with safety to himself or herself and other traffic. |
Driving signalsThe driver of a vehicle on a public road who intends to stop such vehicle or suddenly reduce the speed thereof, or to turn such vehicle to the left or to the right, or to move such vehicle to the left or right on the roadway, shall give a conspicuous signal of his or her intention, visible to any person approaching him or her from the front or from the rear or from the side, and of a duration sufficient to warn any such person of his or her intention. |
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Right of way at certain road junctionsThe driver of a vehicle on a public road shall, when he or she intends entering any portion of a public road which constitutes a junction of two or more public roads where vehicular traffic is required to move around a traffic island within such junction, yield the right of way to all vehicular traffic approaching from his or her right within such junction, unless his or her entry into such junction is controlled by an instruction given by a traffic officer or a direction conveyed by a road traffic sign requiring him or her to act differently. |
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Procedure when turning1) The driver of a vehicle on a public road who desires to turn to the left shall, before reaching the point at which he or she intends to turn, indicate, in the manner prescribed in these regulations, |
2) The driver of a vehicle on a public road who desires to turn to the right shall, before reaching the point at which he or she intends to turn, indicate in the manner prescribed in these regulations, his or her intention to turn and shall not effect such turning unless he or she can do so without obstructing or endangering other traffic and – (a) if he or she is driving a vehicle on the roadway of a public road which roadway is intended for traffic in both directions i) he or she shall steer such vehicle as near as circumstances may permit to the immediate left of the middle of the roadway on which he or she is travelling; and (ii) where the turn is at an intersection, he or she shall not encroach on the right half of the roadway into or out of which he or she intends to turn, except in the intersection itself, but shall in any event pass to the left of any traffic island in such intersection or comply with the direction conveyed by any appropriate road traffic sign; or |
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(b) if he or she is driving a vehicle on a roadway of a public road where such roadway is intended for traffic in only one direction (i) he or she shall steer such vehicle as near as circumstances permit to the right side of such roadway; and (ii) where the turn is at an intersection he or she shall not encroach on the right half of the roadway into which he or she intends to turn, except in the intersection itself but shall in any event pass to the left of any traffic island in such intersection or comply with the direction conveyed by an appropriate road traffic sign: Provided that where such turn is to be made into a roadway intended for traffic in only one direction, he or she may encroach on the right half of that roadway. | |
Towing of vehicles
No person may operate any vehicle on a public road while towing or drawing another vehicle save in the manner prescribed in these regulations for the towing or drawing of any vehicle by another vehicle on a public road |
Stopping of vehicles
Except in order to avoid an accident, or in compliance with a road traffic sign or with a direction given by a traffic officer, or for any cause beyond the control of the driver, no person shall stop a vehicle on the roadway of a public road – (a) alongside or opposite an excavation or obstruction on the public road if other traffic would be obstructed or endangered by such stopping;(b) within any tunnel or subway or on any bridge or within six metres of any tunnel, subway or bridge;(c) on, or within six metres from the beginning or end of, any part of such roadway where the normal width thereof has for any reason been constricted;(d) in contravention of any road traffic sign;(e) on the right-hand side of such roadway facing oncoming traffic;(f) alongside or opposite any other vehicle on such roadway where such roadway is less than nine metres wide;(g) within the railway reserve at a level crossing;(h) within nine metres of his or her approaching side of a pedestrian crossing demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs; or(i) in any other place where the stopping of a vehicle would or would be likely to constitute a danger or an obstruction to other traffic. |
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Parking of vehicles
1) No person shall park a vehicle on a public road – (a) in contravention of any road traffic sign; (b) in any place referred to in "stopping of vehicles"; (c) on the same side as a fire hydrant within an area bounded by the centre-line of the roadway and lines at right angles to such centre-line one and a half metres on either side of the hydrant, if such hydrant is clearly visible to and recognizable as such by drivers of moving vehicles, or if it is indicated by an appropriate road traffic sign ;d) in any place where the vehicle would obscure any road traffic sign; (e) in such manner as to encroach upon the sidewalk, if any; or (f) in such manner as to obstruct any private or public vehicular entrance to such road. 2) These provisions shall not apply to any vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, while it is being used in carrying on the business of street vendor, pedlar or hawker, unless it exceeds such maximum weight, height, length or mass as may be prescribed in these regulations. 3) No person shall park a vehicle on any portion of the roadway (excluding the shoulders) of a public road outside an urban area or with any part of such vehicle within one metre of the edge of such roadway except in a parking place demarcated by an appropriate road traffic sign. 4) No person shall park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road within an urban area - (a) within nine metres of the side from which he or she approaches a pedestrian crossing demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs, unless such parking is permitted by appropriate road traffic signs; (b) within five metres of any intersection unless such parking is permitted by a road traffic sign; (c) upon or over the actuating mechanism of a traffic signal; |
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Certain vehicles may be stopped and parked at any place where necessary
1) The driver of a fire-fighting vehicle, a rescue vehicle or an ambulance who drives such vehicle in the execution of his or her duties, a traffic officer who drives a vehicle in the execution of his or her duties, a person who drives a vehicle while he or she is engaged in civil protection as contemplated in section 3 of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977), or a person who drives a vehicle while it is used in connection with the construction or maintenance of a public road or the rendering of an essential public service, may stop or park the vehicle concerned at any place it may be necessary to do so. 2) While such vehicle is so stopped or parked, display the identification lamps as prescribed. |
Compulsory stops
The driver of a vehicle on a public road shall stop such vehicle –(a) in compliance with any direction conveyed by a road traffic sign or given by a traffic officer in uniform; or (b) at the request or on the signal of a person leading or driving any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich on such road. |
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General duties of driver or passenger of vehicle on public road
1) No person driving or having a vehicle on a public road shall- (a) cause such vehicle to travel backwards unless it can be done in safety, or cause it to run backwards for a distance or time longer than may be necessary for the safety or reasonable convenience of any occupant of that vehicle or of other traffic on such road; or (b) follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent having regard to the speed of such other vehicle and the traffic on and the condition of the roadway, or more closely than is prescribed in these regulations; (i) allow any portion of his or her body to protrude beyond such vehicle while it is in motion on such road except for the purpose of giving any hand signal which he or she is required or authorised to give in terms of these regulations or unless he or she is engaged in examining or testing or parking such vehicle;(j) permit any person or animal to occupy the roof, any step or running board or any other place on top of a vehicle while such vehicle is in motion; (k) cause or allow the engine thereof to run in such manner that it emits smoke or fumes which would not be emitted if the engine were in good condition or ran in an efficient manner; (l) cause or allow the engine thereof to run while the motor vehicle is stationary and unattended; |
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2) No person, other than the driver, shall take hold of or interfere with the steering or operating mechanism of a vehicle while it is in motion on a public road, unless it may reasonable be inferred that the driver is no longer capable of steering or controlling such vehicle. 3) No passenger in a vehicle on a public road shall permit any part of his or her body to protrude beyond such vehicle. 4) No person shall enter or alight from any vehicle on a public road unless such vehicle is stationary and unless he or she can do so with safety to himself or herself and other users of the road. 5) No person shall drive, pull or push a vehicle upon a sidewalk: Provided that these provisions shall not apply to a perambulator, invalid chair, baby cart or child's play vehicle. |
Prohibition on use of communication device while driving
1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a public road - (a) while holding a cellular or mobile telephone or any other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of the body; (b) while using or operating a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device unless such a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device is affixed to the vehicle or is part of the fixture in the vehicle and remains so affixed while being used or operated, or is specially adapted or designed to be affixed to the person of the driver as headgear, and is so used, to enable such driver to use or operate such telephone or communication device without holding it in the manner contemplated in paragraph (a), and remains so affixed while being used or operated. 2) Abovementioned does not apply to the following persons while driving in execution of their duties:(a) the driver of a fire-fighting vehicle; (b) the driver of a rescue vehicle or an ambulance; (c) a traffic officer; (d) a member of the South African Police Service and a member of a municipal police service, both as defined in section 1 of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995); (e) a member of the South African National Defence Force; and (f) any person driving a vehicle while engaged in civil protection in accordance with an ordinance made in terms of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977): Provided that he or she drives the vehicle concerned with due regard to the safety of other road users. 3) The word "headgear" includes a device which is specially designed or adapted to allow the driver to use a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device in such a manner that he or she does not hold it in one or both hands or with any other part of the body, and which is connected to the cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device concerned, directly or indirectly, while being fitted to or attached to one or both ears of the driver. |
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Duties relating to motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle
1) No person shall drive a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle on a public road unless his or her feet are resting on the front foot-rests suitable for the purpose and, where the design of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle makes it possible to do so, he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle. 2) No person shall on a public road carry a passenger on a motor cycle unless such cycle has an engine with a cylinder capacity exceeding 50 cubic centimetres and unless such passenger is seated in a side-car or astride on a pillion attached to such cycle and, in such latter event, the feet of the passenger are resting on foot- rests suitable for that purpose. 3) Subject to these provisions, not more than two persons shall ride upon a motor cycle on a public road, excluding a person riding in a side-car attached to such motor cycle. 4) Not more than two adult persons shall be carried in a side-car attached to a motor cycle on a public road. 5) No person or animal or object shall be carried on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle on a public road in front of the driver thereof: Provided that an object of a non-bulky nature may be so carried if securely attached to the motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle or placed in a suitable carrier fitted thereon for that purpose and carried in such a way as not to obstruct the driver's view or prevent his or her exercising complete control over such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle. 6) (a) Persons, other than traffic officers in the performance of their duties, driving motor cycles on a public road, shall drive in single file except in the course of overtaking another motor cycle, and two or more persons driving motor cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time: Provided that where a public road is divided into traffic lanes, each such lane shall, for the purposes of this paragraph, be regarded as a public road. (b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), a motor cycle shall include a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle. 7) No person driving a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle on a public road or seated on such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle shall take hold of any other vehicle in motion. 8) Any person driving a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle on a public road shall do so with at least one hand on the handlebars of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle. 9) Any person driving a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle on a public road shall do so in such manner that all the wheels of such motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle are in contact with the surface of the road at all times. |
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Vehicle causing excessive noise
No person shall operate or permit to be operated on a public road a vehicle in such a manner as to cause any excessive noise which can be avoided by the exercise of reasonable care on his or her part. Riding on pedal cycles1) No person shall ride a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is seated astride on the saddle of such pedal cycle. 2) Persons riding pedal cycles on a public road shall ride in single file except in the course of overtaking another pedal cycle, and two or more persons riding pedal cycles shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time. 3) No person riding or seated on a pedal cycle on a public road shall take hold of any other vehicle in motion. 4) No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall deliberately cause such pedal cycle to swerve from side to side. 5) No person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall carry thereon any person, animal or object which obstructs his or her view or which prevents him or her from exercising complete control over the movements of such pedal cycle. 6) A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road shall do so with at least one hand on the handle-bars of such pedal cycle. 7) Whenever a portion of a public road has been set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, no person shall ride a pedal cycle on any other portion of such road. 8) A person riding a pedal cycle on a public road or a portion of a public road set aside for use by persons riding pedal cycles, shall do so in such manner that all the wheels of such pedal cycle are in contact with the surface of the road at all times. |
Use of hooterNo person shall on a public road use the sounding device or hooter of a vehicle except when such use is necessary in order to comply with the provisions of these regulations or on the grounds of safety. |
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Pedestrian's right of way in pedestrian crossing
1) Where a pedestrian crossing is situated in conjunction with a traffic signal, a pedestrian shall not enter such crossing except in accordance with the indications of such traffic signal. 2) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a pedestrian crossing when the pedestrian is upon that half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is travelling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. 3) No pedestrian shall suddenly enter a pedestrian crossing and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. 4) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a pedestrian crossing to permit pedestrians to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not pass such stopped vehicle. |
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Duties of pedestrians
1) Whenever a sidewalk or footpath abuts on the roadway of a public road, a pedestrian shall not walk on such roadway except for the purpose of crossing from one side of such roadway to the other or for some other sufficient reason. 2) A pedestrian on a public road which has no sidewalk or footpath abutting on the roadway, shall walk as near as is practicable to the edge of the roadway on his or her right-hand side so as to face oncoming traffic on such roadway, except where the presence of pedestrians on the roadway is prohibited by a prescribed road traffic sign. 3) No pedestrian shall cross a public road without satisfying himself or herself that the roadway is sufficiently free from oncoming traffic to permit him or her to cross the road in safety. 5) No pedestrian on a public road shall conduct himself or herself in such a manner as to or as is likely to constitute a source of danger to himself or herself or to other traffic which is or may be on such road. |
Racing and sport on public roads
1) For the purposes of this regulation the expression "race or sport" includes – (a) any race, speed trial, reliability trial, hill climbing competition or sports meeting; or(b) any other activity whatsoever – (i) which may constitute a source of danger to traffic; or 2) No person shall organize or take part in any race or sport on a public road, unless the prior written consent of the MEC of the province concerned has been obtained or, where the race or sport will take place wholly within the area of jurisdiction of a local authority, the prior written consent of such local authority has been obtained. 3) In granting consent, the MEC or the local authority concerned, as the case may be, may – (a) in addition to any requirement prescribed in these regulations, impose such further conditions as he or she or it may deem expedient;(b) exempt any person concerned with the race or sport for the duration thereof -(i) from any provision of the Act regarding any speed limit or determine another speed limit for the road concerned;(ii) from any other provision of the Act or from any by-law; or (c) levy fees for defraying the expenses incurred by the Provincial Administration or local authority concerned in connection with the race or sport. 4) Any consent granted may be withdrawn at any time. |
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Hindering or obstructing traffic on public road
1) No person shall wilfully or unnecessarily prevent, hinder or interrupt the free and proper passage of traffic on a public road. 2) Subject to the provisions of the Act or any other law, no person shall place or abandon or cause to be placed or abandoned on a public road any object that may endanger or cause damage to traffic on such road. |
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Vehicle left or abandoned on public road
1) Any vehicle standing on a public road in a position or in circumstances which in the opinion of a traffic officer, is likely to cause danger or an obstruction to other traffic on such road, may be removed forthwith to a safer place by any such traffic officer or person or authority instructed by such officer to remove such vehicle: Provided that such traffic officer or person or authority shall, in removing such vehicle, use such device or devices as may be necessary having regard to the public safety. 2) Any vehicle a) parked in a place where (i) the stopping of a vehicle is prohibited; or (ii) a vehicle of a class to which such vehicle belongs may not be parked; (b) left for a continuous period of more than (i) 24 hours in the same place on a public road outside an urban area;(ii) seven days in the same place on a public road within an urban area; or (iii) seven days on the site of any testing station; or (c) found on a public road and to which (i) no licence number is affixed or, in the opinion of a traffic officer, a false licence number is affixed; or ii) no other number or anything else is affixed which may, in the opinion of a traffic officer, serve to identify the owner, shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner and such vehicle may be removed by or on behalf of the authority having jurisdiction over the place or road concerned and such authority shall take all reasonable steps to trace the owner, and the owner shall, except in the case of a stolen vehicle, be liable to such authority for the expenses incurred- (aa) in the removal of such vehicle;(bb) in keeping the vehicle in custody for a period not exceeding four months; and(cc) in connection with the endeavour to trace him or her, and such authority may retain possession of such vehicle until such expenses have been paid. 3) If -(a) such owner is traced by the authority which owner fails to recover the vehicle concerned and pay the expenses within 14 days after being requested to do so; or (b) after a lapse of one month from the date of removal, the owner cannot be traced, such vehicle or anything contained therein may be sold in the manner prescribed by any law governing the sale of movable property by such authority and, whenever possible, the authority which registered such vehicle shall be advised of such sale. 4) The proceeds of any sale shall be applied firstly to the costs of the removal, custody and sale of the vehicle concerned and all the endeavours made to trace the owner of such vehicle, and any balance shall be paid to the owner thereof upon his or her establishing his or her claim thereto: Provided that if no claim can be established within one year from the date of such sale, such balance shall be forfeited to the authority concerned. 5) If an authority is unable to sell any vehicle, it may dispose of that vehicle in any manner it deems fit, and any moneys received as a result of such disposal shall be forfeited to such authority. 6) An authority may delegate, either generally or specifically, any power conferred upon it to any person in its employment. 7) The reasonable exercise by any person or authority of the powers conferred by this regulation shall not render such person or authority subject to any liability in respect of the loss or theft of or damage to any vehicle or part thereof or of anything therein or thereon. |
Damage to public roads
No person shall on a public road:(a) cause any wheel of any vehicle to drag or spin upon the surface of the roadway, except in the case of an emergency; (b) make use of chocks or shoes between any wheel of any vehicle moving along the roadway and the surface of such roadway; or (c) use any vehicle or thing or move any vehicle or thing on the roadway in a manner causing or likely to cause damage thereto. |
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Special provisions relating to freeways
1) No person shall operate on a freeway (a) a vehicle drawn by an animal; (b) a pedal cycle; (c) a motor cycle having an engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres or which is propelled by electrical power or which is a vehicle as contemplated in paragraph (b) of the definition of motor vehicle in the Act; (d) a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle; (e) a vehicle with a mass not exceeding 230 kilograms and specially designed, constructed or adapted for the use of a person suffering from a physical defect or disability; or (f) a tractor 2) No person shall (a) be on a freeway on foot except (i) within an area reserved for the stopping or parking of vehicles by an appropriate road traffic sign; (ii) for a cause beyond his or her control; or (iii) in the case of any person performing service in the Citizen Force as contemplated in section 21 of the Defence Act, 1957 (Act No. 44 of 1957), between the junction of an offramp and the junction of an on-ramp on the left-hand side of the roadway, unless a prescribed road traffic sign forbids the presence of such person on such freeway or junction; (b) leave or allow an animal to be on a freeway except in or on a motor vehicle or within an area reserved for the stopping or parking of vehicles by an appropriate road traffic sign, or leave an animal in a place from where it may stray onto a freeway; (c) stop a vehicle on a freeway except (i) in compliance with a road traffic sign or a direction given by a traffic officer; (ii) within an area reserved for the stopping or parking of vehicles by an appropriate road traffic sign;(iii) for any cause beyond his or her control; or (iv) in an area referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) for the purpose of allowing persons so performing service there to board or alight from such vehicle;(d) give a hand signal when driving a motor vehicle on a freeway except for a cause beyond his or her control. 3) In a prosecution for a contravention, it shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed that an animal was left or allowed on the freeway or place concerned by the owner of such animal. 4) These provisions (a) shall not apply to a person who operates a tractor in connection with the construction or maintenance of a freeway;(b) shall not apply to (i) a traffic officer while he or she is engaged in the performance of his or her duties;(ii) a person while he or she is engaged in rescue or salvage work; (iii) a person while he or she is engaged in the construction or maintenance of a freeway or the rendering of an essential public service; or (iv) a person while he or she is engaged in civil protection as contemplated in section 3 of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977); and (c) These shall not apply to - (i) the driver of (aa) an ambulance, fire-fighting vehicle or rescue vehicle; or(bb) a breakdown vehicle while he or she is engaged in the salvaging of another motor vehicle;(ii) a traffic officer who drives a vehicle in the performance of his or her duties;(iii) a person who drives a vehicle while it is used in connection with the construction or maintenance of a freeway or the rendering of an essential public service; or (iv) a person who drives a vehicle while he or she is engaged in civil protection as contemplated in section 3 of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977). 5) Where the driver of a motor vehicle which is being driven in the right hand traffic lane or in the traffic lane furthest to the right on a freeway hereinafter referred to as the first vehicle becomes aware that the driver of another motor vehicle hereinafter referred to as the second vehicle intends to overtake the first vehicle, the driver of the first vehicle shall steer that vehicle to a lane to the left of the one in which he or she is driving, without endangering himself or herself or other traffic or property on the freeway, And shall not accelerate the speed of his or her vehicle until the second vehicle has passed. 6) The driver of the second vehicle may make the driver of the first vehicle aware that he or she intends to overtake the first vehicle by giving the driver thereof a visible signal by means of flashing the headlights of his or her vehicle. |
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Part 2DRIVING SIGNALSLeft-turn hand signalThe driver of a vehicle on a public road who intends to turn to the left or move to the left shall, before reaching the point at which he or she intends to turn or move to the left, extend his or her right arm sideward from the shoulder with the forearm in a vertical and downward position and move his or her forearm in a circular anticlockwise motion: Provided that in the case of a driver of a tractor, a two-wheel vehicle or an animal drawn vehicle, such driver may, in lieu of the hand signal aforesaid, extend his or her left arm and hand sideward from the shoulder and fully horizontal to the road with the palm of the hand turned to the front |
Right-turn hand signalThe driver of a vehicle on a public road who intends to turn to the right or move to the right shall, before reaching the point at which he or she intends to turn or move to the right, extend his or her right arm and hand sideward from the shoulder and fully horizontal to the road with the palm of the hand turned to the front. |
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Use of direction indicators in lieu of hand signals1) (a) The driver of a vehicle which is fitted with direction indicators shall signal his or her intention to turn or move to the left or right by operating the direction indicator on the left or right side, as the case may be, of the vehicle. (b) The driver of a vehicle who has put a direction indicator into operation to signal his or her intention to turn or move to the left or right shall, as soon as the need to signal has passed, cease to keep such indicator in operation. 2) The driver of a tractor or of a combination of motor vehicles of which the drawing vehicle is a tractor, may in lieu of giving the appropriate hand signal, signal his or her intention to turn to the left or to the right or move to the left or to the right by extending a portable direction indicator which complies with the following requirements: (a) When in use, the indicator shall project at least 300 millimetres beyond the widest art of the vehicle or load thereon, whichever is the wider; (b) the portable direction indicator shall consist of a red fluorescent arrow of adequate rigidity, with dimensions as shown in Diagram A hereto, attached to a handle the length of which shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (a); and (c) a yellow retro-reflector complying with the definition of a retro-reflector shall be fitted to the front and back surfaces of the arrow as illustrated hereunder. |
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Signal to indicate intention to reduce speedThe driver of a vehicle on a public road who intends to stop or to reduce speed suddenly shall before doing so extend his or her right arm sideward from the shoulder with the forearm held in a vertical and upward position and the palm of the hand turned to the front |
Permissible hand signalsThe driver of a vehicle may, in addition to the signals prescribed in the preceding regulations, give the following hand signals: (a) If he or she intends to slow down, he or she may extend his or her right arm sideward from the shoulder with the palm of the hand turned downward and move his or her arm slowly up and down; and (b) If he or she desires to indicate to following traffic that it may overtake his or her vehicle on the right, he or she may fully extend his or her right arm below the level of the shoulder with the palm of the hand turned forward and move it backward and forward from the shoulder. |
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Part 3SPEED LIMITSGeneral speed limitsA general speed limit of (a) 60 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road or section thereof, situated within an urban area; (b) 100 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road or section thereof, other than a freeway, situated outside an urban area; and (c) 120 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every freeway. Speed limit for particular class of vehicles 1) A speed limit of (a) 80 kilometres per hour shall, subject to the proviso to the said section,apply in respect to (i) a goods vehicle the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 9 000 kilograms (ii) a combination of motor vehicles consisting of a goods vehicle, being the drawing vehicle, and one or two trailers of which the sum of the gross vehicle mass of the goods vehicle and of the trailer or trailers exceeds 9 000 kilograms; or (iii) an articulated motor vehicle, of which the gross combination mass of the truck-tractor exceeds 9 000 kilograms; (b) 100 kilometres per hour shall, subject to the proviso to the said section, apply in respect to (i) a bus; and (ii) a minibus used for the conveyance of persons for reward. 2) (a) There may be displayed on the rear of a goods vehicle, a sign denoting that such goods vehicle is subject to a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, and such sign shall comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1329 "Retro-reflective and Fluorescent Warning Signs for Road Vehicles", Part 3: "Signs other than triangles, chevron signs and abnormal load vehicle signs" with respect to the colours displayed on such sign. (b) There shall from 1 May 2000, be displayed on the rear of a bus, a sign denoting that such bus is subject to a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour, and such sign shall comply with the requirements of the standard specification referred to in paragraph (a) with respect to the colours displayed on such sign. |
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Part 4GENERALTOWING OF VEHICLESNo person shall operate a vehicle on a public road towing another vehicle (a) if the length of the tow-rope, chain or tow-bar between the two vehicles exceeds three and a half metres;(b) if the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle in such a manner that both vehicles are not under control; (d) if the brakes of the towed vehicle do not comply with the provisions of regulation 155, unless the towing vehicle is connected to the towed vehicle by means of a drawbar or tow-bar;(e) at a speed in excess of 30 kilometres per hour, unless the towing vehicle is connected to the towed vehicle by means of a drawbar or a tow-bar; (f) if the towed vehicle is conveying persons at a speed in excess of 30 kilometres per hour, unless the towed vehicle is a semi-trailer; or (g) if the towing vehicle is a motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle or pedal cycle. |
RULES OF THE ROAD IN FRANCE Driving in France. French motoring laws.Tips on driving abroad in France. Motoring rules and regulations in France.
Make sure you Drive Alive! Drive on the right!
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A full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat belts should be worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations relating to France.
Take care in built-up areas where the old rule giving priority to traffic coming from the right (Priorité a droite) still applies unless a yellow diamond indicates you have priority. On roundabouts you generally give priority to traffic already on the roundabout, in other words, coming from your left as you enter the roundabout |
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Children in cars: children under 10 are only allowed in the front seats if there are no rear seats or the rear seats are already fully occupied with children under 10, or there are no seat belts. If a child must travel in the front under the above circumstances then they cannot be placed in the front seats with their back to the direction of travel if the vehicle is fitted with a passenger airbag, unless it is deactivated. They must travel in an approved child seat or restraint adapted to their size. In the rear they must use a proper restraint system appropriate to their weight, which means a child seat if they weigh between 9 and 15 kg. Over this weight they can use seat belts with a booster cushion. |
First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.
Fuel: All grades of unleaded petrol and diesel are available. As in the UK, LPG is only available at some stations. Leaded no longer exists. It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although they often won't work at automatic pumps, which are often the only pumps in rural areas open out-of-hours, which also means lunch-time from noon to 3pm. Supermarket fuel stations tend not to be manned on Sundays, but will accept notes at their automatic pumps. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be travelling abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud measure. |
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GB sticker: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in European Union countries.
Headlamp converters are compulsory. Lights: dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles over 125cc must use dipped headlights during the day at all times. Minimum age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 18 for a car and a motorcycle over 125cc and 15 for a motorcycle under 125cc. |
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a radar detector in your vehicle, you could be fined up to €1500, have the detector confiscated, or even face confiscation of the vehicle. So make sure you remove any such device before taking your car to France. NEW! As from January 3rd 2012 even SatNav and GPS systems which can show where speed cameras are located are illegal, so ensure this function has been disabled on your device. Software updates are available for some systems which remove this function. If your device still shows speed cameras in France we suggest you leave it at home since you can be fined up to €1500 and have the system, and even the vehicle, confiscated. |
Replacement bulb set recommended.
Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted. Snow chains arecompulsory in mountainous regions in France during winter. They must be carried and if you do not fit them when conditions demand the police can prevent you continuing your journey. Click for general information on winter tyres and snow chains. |
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Supermarkets: Most supermarkets are closed on Sunday.
Visibility Vests are compulsory in France, and in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem. |
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Radar detectors are illegal in France even when they are not in use. If you are caught with Warning triangle is compulsory as from July 1st 2008. The triangle can be used in conjunction with hazard flash Winter tyres are recommended but not compulsory. Snow chains are compulsory in mountainous regions, especially the Alps, during winter, and if you do not carry and fit them when conditions demand the police can prevent you continuing your journey. Click for general information on winter tyres and snow chains |