Question

Dear Arrive Alive team, First off, I would like to thank you very much for the assistance you previously gave me regarding a similar situation. I would be even more appreciative if you could once again assist me in a query that I have. I have read the regulations that you directed me to regarding hazard lights, but I would like to take the advise that you gave me one step further, and I would appreciate the advice from you guys who are the experts. I know from reading the regulations, that a person can only engage his hazard lights in two situations, one being when the vehicle is stationary in a hazardous position. I would like to know the following: must the reason causing the driver to have his vehicle there in the first place be one of an emergency or something of that nature OR can one park in a hazardous position for a non- essential reason and put on your hazard lights? My understanding of the regulations would imply that one can only be stationary in a hazardous position if it warrants an emergency or the like. It cannot be there for any random reason. Please could you direct me to some regulations to shed some light on the above if possible?

Answer

The legislation (Regulation 198, paragraphs 5 & 6) refers to “operating all direction indicators simultaneously” under the following two conditions:
a) stationary in a hazardous position (this means constituting a danger to all road users);
b) moving in an emergency situation (anything that is NOT normal in nature and constitutes some sort of emergency);

The legislation stipulates that these lamps shall not be switched on for any other reason apart from the two mentioned.

Question

I am currently still a South African citizen living in Brazil on a permanent visa, as my wife is Brazilian. I will be visiting my family in March in South Africa but no longer have my license card as that has expired. Please can you inform me of the procedure of obtaining a temporary card so that I can be legally on the road on my visit.

Answer

Question

Please advise what the road act say about a south african citizen with an international drivers license. Going back and for in countries every 3 months. What license do you need to drive in south africa? Please give me the act details, and explain.

Answer

If the international driving licence is valid, is in English or has an official translation and has a photograph of the holder attached to it then it can be used to drive in South Africa. Please note that if the person is resuming  permanent residence then the licence must be exchanged for a South African driving licence within 1 year of resuming permanent residence.

Also note that if the licence was obtained while the person was on holiday or just visiting in the foreign country then the licence cannot be exchanged. If the person wishes to drive a vehicle that requires a professional driving permit (PrDP) then they need to apply for a PrDP.

Question

Is the Parking lot of a Mall deemed private property ? Can the Municipal Traffic Officers go into the parking lots to check seat belt use,or to fine motorists?We asked them to do this and they said they could not, as it was private property.

Answer

The R T Act definition of public road is wide enough to include parking spaces, there is a SA decided case on the question is a service station forecourt a public road, the decision was yes as it meets the definition. However  there are moral questions iro the prosecution for routine offences in such an environment, and pursuit of a suspect in more serious cases such as drunken driving or even taxi violence, I prefer the latter option.

Question

Please can you give me any info. with regards the reflective tape on motor Vechicles, specifications, colour etc. Does it have to have an SABS, ISO, stamp Etc? Please send info that I can use to manufacture or import.

Answer

The reflective (yellow) tape required for trailers and prescribed categories of vehicles (ie busses and trucks over 3500 kg GVM) is very detailed. The details for conformance are available from the SABS in Pretoria. 3M (South Africa) manufactures the tape (and as far as we can ascertain) is the sole provider at this stage.

Question

I am unable to find in the traffic legislation where a speed limit zone ends. It begins at a speed sign. Does it end at a certain distance after this sign, at the next traffic lights, at the next intersection, at the next speed limit sign?,...

Answer

Generally - the speed only changes when the next speed limitation or delimitation sign appears. There are some legislated speeds for types of roads- urban all at a maximum of 60kph unless marked otherwise (either higher or lower, major routes in provincial (rural) areas are either 80 kph (or as marked) and freeways are 120 kph (or as marked)

Question

Is it compulsory to drive with bright lights in the rain and at night? Reason being I received a R500 fine for on bright light that had fused one morning at 09h00 the morning.

Answer

In short the answer is yes but the RTAct requires the passing beam or dim beam, not bright, in time of darkness ,mist and rain. Is it compulsory to drive with bright lights in the rain and at night? Reason being I received a R500 fine for on bright light that had fused one morning at 09h00 the morning. And a car that did not have a brake light was let off on a warning.

Question

Hi, I just wanted to find out about international drivers licenses. Can a non South African citizen use their IDP in SA and for how long is it valid? and when do they need to get a South African drivers license?

Answer

The International Driving Permit will be valid until it expires or the licence on which it was based expires, is revoked or is cancelled. A non SA citizen will only have to exchange the licence for SA licence should they take up permanent residency. The holder then has 1 yr for the date of obtaining permanent residency to exchange the foreign licence for a SA licence. Holders of Diplomatic or Treaty Passports may exchange the prior to obtaining permanent residency.

Question

Is it legal for somebody to drive a vehicle on private property (eg the parking area of a residential complex) if they are underage (younger than 18) and do not have a driver's licence?

Answer

A road that is used by other members of the public is not deemed to be a private road even if that road is in a residential complex. It is therefore a requirement to be fully licensed to operate that vehicle or if possession of a learner's licence to be accompanied by a fully licensed person.

Question

I am aware that using a licence from Zimbabwe on the SA roads is legal. I am a holder of a Zimbabwean drivers licence and am currently waiting for the metal disc to be out thus currently I have the paper version complete with the licence number. I havent driven on the SA roads yet but my studies requires that I start doing so. I just want to confirm that I can drive legally on the roads with my licence and passport until the metal disc Is out so that I am not caught on the wrongside of the law. I am also aware that it takes some time for the SA disc to be issued and drivers can use the paper version, does also apply to my situation. Thanks!

Answer

The Zimbabwean paper licence will be valid as long it has not expired, it is English and has photo and signature of the holder on it.