South Africa on a Chinese Licence 2026: Left Side, No IDP
China
South Africa
China issues no IDP, so carry your Chinese licence with a certified English translation and get the hire firm's written OK. South Africa drives on the left; freeways run at 120 km/h.
South Africa rewards a self-drive trip, from the Garden Route to the long national roads, but a driver from China has two things to settle first: the licence papers and the side of the road.
The licence: a translation, because China issues no IDP
The National Road Traffic Act (s. 23) treats a licence issued in another country as valid in South Africa, subject to prescribed conditions. A licence that is not in English is normally shown with an International Driving Permit, but China does not issue IDPs, so the practical route is a certified English translation carried with the original licence and your passport. Hire companies set their own rules on top of the law; ask in writing before you book whether they accept a Chinese licence with a translation. The Driving Permit Checker covers other licences.
Keeping left
China drives on the right; South Africa drives on the left. The gear lever sits under your left hand, mirror checks reverse, and roundabouts and right turns cross traffic the opposite way. Take a quiet first drive before Johannesburg or Cape Town traffic.
Speeds and alcohol
The general limits are 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on other roads outside towns and 120 km/h on freeways, unless signs say otherwise. The alcohol limit is 0.05 g per 100 ml of blood (0.24 mg per 1,000 ml of breath), against China’s 20 mg per 100 ml; professional drivers are held to 0.02. The Speeding Fine Calculator gives a rough comparison.
Security matters more than the numbers: keep doors locked and valuables out of sight in cities, avoid stopping in isolated places after dark, and plan fuel stops on long rural stretches. The South Africa driving guide has the rest.
Sources
- National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, s. 23 (foreign licences and IDPs), s. 59 (general speed limits) and s. 65 (alcohol limits): gov.za
- UK Foreign Travel Advice, South Africa (foreign licences for up to 12 months; hire firms may set stricter terms): gov.uk
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, South Africa profile (60/100/120 km/h; 0.05 g/dl): who.int
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, China profile (0.02 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions
South African law (National Road Traffic Act s. 23) treats a licence issued in another country as valid, subject to prescribed conditions. A licence not in English is normally shown with an IDP, but China issues none, so take a certified English translation and ask the hire company in writing whether it accepts that.
The left. China drives on the right, so this is a full side switch: the gear lever moves to your left hand, and turns, roundabouts and overtaking all run the opposite way to home.
0.05 g per 100 ml of blood, or 0.24 mg per 1,000 ml of breath (National Road Traffic Act s. 65); professional drivers have a 0.02 limit. China's limit is 20 mg per 100 ml, so the South African limit is higher, but the safe choice is not to drink before driving.