South Africa for French Drivers — Left-Side Switch & an IDP

Three answers to start with. South Africa drives on the left, the opposite of France. A French licence needs an International Driving Permit beside it because the card is not in English. And in big cities the real hazard is not the traffic but the car itself, which can be a target.

Switching to the left

Pulling away you will sit on the right of the cabin, with the gearstick under your left hand, and roundabouts run clockwise. The instinct at a junction will send you to the wrong lane. Take your first half hour somewhere quiet, and stay deliberate at every turn until keeping left feels natural. Most of your trip will be on excellent national routes, where this settles quickly.

The permit, and why it is not optional

South Africa accepts a licence in English for up to 12 months. A French licence is not in English, so the permit is what makes it readable. Carry the IDP with your licence and passport. You must arrange it in France, because it cannot be issued in South Africa. Use the Driving Permit Checker to confirm what your itinerary needs.

City risk: carjacking and smash-and-grab

Carjacking and smash-and-grab at urban intersections are a well-documented risk in large cities. Local habits worth adopting from day one:

• Doors locked and windows up.
• Bags and phones out of sight, not on the passenger seat.
• A sensible gap at red lights, so you are never boxed in.
• No driving after dark in areas you do not know.

Some drivers treat night-time red lights in high-risk spots with caution rather than blind compliance; ask your rental company for local advice. None of this should put you off the open road, where the experience is superb.

Numbers compared with France

South African towns allow 60, ten more than France, and rural roads allow 100 against France’s 80. The motorway limit is lower. Cameras are common.

What a mistake costs

• Up to 10 km/h over: ZAR 500 to 1,250 (about EUR 25 to 65).
• Up to 20 km/h over: ZAR 1,250 to 2,500.
• Over that: ZAR 2,500 or more, a court appearance and possible suspension.
• Phone in hand: ZAR 500 to 1,000.
• Seatbelt: ZAR 500.
• Red light: ZAR 1,250 to 2,500.

In France a minor speeding fine is a fixed EUR 68, and a phone in the hand costs EUR 135 and 3 points. Estimate any figure with the Speeding Fine Calculator.

Rental desk and first drive

At pick-up, show the licence, the permit and your passport together and ask for the roadside assistance number to be written on the contract. Walk round the car and photograph every mark. Before you leave the lot, set your route and check the position of the indicator and wiper stalks, because on a right-hand-drive car they may feel reversed. Fill the tank before long empty stretches. Plan your first day so that you reach your accommodation before dark.

Other road users

Minibus taxis stop and pull out unpredictably, so keep your distance. On rural roads, watch for potholes and animals. Attendants pump the fuel for you at filling stations, and a small tip is customary.

Distances and daylight

South African distances are long and daylight ends early in winter, so plan each day’s driving to finish before dark. Fuel stations can be sparse in the interior, and it is wise to keep the tank above half. Build a buffer into every journey; roadworks and slow trucks add time that a map does not show.

Emergency numbers

Police are 10111, ambulance and fire 10177, and 112 works from a mobile. France uses 17, 15 and 18, and none of them connect here. Save the South African numbers on arrival. Our South Africa driving guide has the full ruleset.