Keep right
In San Andreas you drive on the right-hand side and overtake on the left. When an officer pulls you over, stop on the right shoulder.
A red robot means stop, then go
At a red robot you come to a full stop, check it's clear, then go. You don't sit and wait for green.
Speed and reckless driving
Know your zone
Careless driving
One-off mistakes like curb-hopping, a sloppy swerve or drifting across a lane. Charged as Improper Road Use (T-09).
Reckless driving
Danger on purpose: weaving through traffic, driving into oncoming lanes, spinning in a busy intersection. Charged as Reckless Driving (T-02), arrest only.
Right of way
Robots and signs
Four-way stops: yield to your right
If two vehicles reach the intersection together, the one on your right goes first.
Lights and sirens? Pull right and stop.
Never follow an ambulance to skip traffic, never block a response, and never race emergency vehicles to a scene. Failing to yield is Improper Road Use (T-09). If an officer has to signal you to move, it's Failing to Comply (T-10): 6 demerit points and arrest. Someone behind those sirens needs help.
Licences and vehicles
Your driving licence
There are no learner's licences in San Andreas. You take the test at the DMV: a 12-question theory test, then a practical drive. Pass and you pay R100 and get the licence straight away.
| Licence | What it lets you drive |
|---|---|
| Code B | Cars and bakkies. Everyone starts here. |
| Code A | Motorcycles |
| Code C | Heavy vehicles and trucks |
You can't take a test while your licence is suspended or cancelled, while you have 15 or more points, or while you have an overdue ticket. Driving without a licence is T-04.
Registration and number plates
Every vehicle must be registered in your name. Drive it to the DMV and bring an Iron Plate. You'll get a plate number ending in -LV. If you buy a used vehicle, register it in your own name before you drive it.
| What | Cost | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| New registration or transfer | R250 + 2% of the vehicle's value | 14 days |
| Renewal | R150 + 1% of the vehicle's value | 30 days |
The percentage grows with the vehicle's value, so a supercar costs much more to keep legal than a bakkie. An overdue ticket blocks registration until you pay it.
Roadworthy means healthy
A vehicle is unroadworthy if its health is below 650 out of 1000, or if it has visible damage: a burst tyre, a missing panel or a broken light. Get it fixed at VESA. Driving it is T-12.
Legal
- Custom paint
- Aftermarket rims
- Styled body kits
- Cosmetic styling
Illegal (T-12)
- Tint so dark you can't see the driver
- Covered, false or missing plates
- Race-car performance parts on public roads
- An illegal exhaust, or no headlights at night
Tickets and demerit points
How a traffic stop works
- The officer signals you to pull over with lights and siren.
- You stop on the right shoulder and stay in your vehicle.
- The officer checks your licence, registration and roadworthiness.
- You get a warning, a ticket, or you're arrested.
- Pay your ticket in person at SAPS reception. Check yours with
/mytickets.
The offences
Only an on-duty SAPS officer ranked Constable or above can issue a ticket, and only for the offences marked Ticket. The rest mean arrest. Jail time and fines for each one are in the Penal Code.
AARTO demerit points
Everyone starts at zero. Every offence adds points. Paying the fine clears the money, but never the points. Check yours with /demerits.
When a suspension starts, your points go back to zero. A cancelled licence can't be won back by retaking the test.
Try it: how close are you to a suspension?
Tap an offence to add its points.