In South Africa, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. It is essential to keep left, because if you don't you are likely to cause a head-on crash. This is the worst types of crash as it almost always results in death or severe injury.

Most South African roads have lanes marked on them with a white separating line (see White Line below). When driving on a laned, divided road, you should drive your vehicle on the left side of the division.

Cross this division only when there is space indicated for this purpose – it is an offence to drive across a solid dividing marking (physical barrier or painted divider) or straddle lanes with one set of wheels in one lane and another set of wheels in another lane (see WM3, RM1, RM2 and RM5 below). 

Where there are two or more lanes on your side of the centre line:

1. Keep in the left-hand lane as much as you can
2. Do not use the lane closest to the centre line if you will hold up other vehicles.

The lane closest to the centre line should be used when you want to overtake another vehicle, turn right or the left-hand lane is full with traffic or blocked (see RM3 or WM2). 

An unlaned road is a road with no marked white separating lines. To stay well out of the way of oncoming vehicles, keep as close as possible to the left side of the road.

Keep well to the left when you are driving around a bend in the road. This is particularly important because you can't always see what's around the bend. As well as other motor vehicles coming the other way, there could be cyclists, horses, pedestrians or an object on your side of the road.

When driving on a road with a centre line, your driver's seat should normally be in the centre of your half of the road (except if driving a left-hand drive vehicle). Reduce your speed to stay in this position when driving around bends.