South Africa on a Chinese Licence 2026: Left Side, No IDP

There are two questions in the searches that reach this page. Can a Chinese driver use a Chinese licence in South Africa, and can you drive from South Africa to China? The first has a practical answer below. The second is a different journey. Our records say China does not accept IDPs and that foreign visitors must obtain a temporary Chinese driving licence, so a South African licence and permit would not be enough there. For a Chinese visitor driving in South Africa, the rules start with the licence papers.

The licence: a translation, because China issues no IDP

The National Road Traffic Act (section 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. China does not issue IDPs, so the practical route is a certified English translation carried with the original licence and your passport.

UK government advice, which is the second view in our sources, says foreign licences are generally usable for up to 12 months and that hire firms may set stricter terms. Hire companies write their own rules on top of the law, so ask before you book whether they accept a Chinese licence with a translation, and get the answer in writing. For other countries on your route, use the Driving Permit Checker.

Keeping left

China drives on the right; South Africa drives on the left. The gear lever moves to 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. Say the side out loud at each junction in the first hour.

Side by side

Rural roads are the big change: 100 km/h in South Africa against 70 at home, on a road you may not know. Freeway limits match. Remember that a general limit applies unless a sign says otherwise.

Alcohol

The South African limit is 0.05 g per 100 ml of blood, or 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 South African figure is higher than your home one, but a conviction would be a serious problem on a short trip, so the safe plan is no drinking before driving.

Fines in rand and yuan

South Africa’s bands are small in euro terms: ZAR 500 for a seatbelt offence, ZAR 500-1,000 for a phone, and ZAR 1,250-2,500 for a red light. Speeding 10 over is ZAR 500-1,250 and 20 over ZAR 1,250-2,500. At 30 over it is ZAR 2,500 or more, a court appearance and possible licence suspension. China’s own scale is CNY 200 for most low-level offences, plus points. The difference that matters is the court appearance, because it can disrupt a trip. The Speeding Fine Calculator gives a rough comparison.

Security, equipment and the hire desk

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. A warning triangle is required in the car. China also requires a fire extinguisher and a reflective vest, but South Africa only recommends them, so check what the hire car carries.

At the desk, ask for the licence translation requirement in writing, photograph the licence, translation and passport, and check the insurance excess. Local detail on tolls and rules is in the South Africa driving guide.

Sources

• National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, section 23 (foreign licences and IDPs), section 59 (general speed limits) and section 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