Driving in Afghanistan vs. Chile: Key Differences Revealed
Explore the contrasting road regulations and practices between Afghanistan and Chile, highlighting crucial distinctions that impact travel safety. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance, understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience abroad. Stay informed and navigate your journey with confidence in these diverse driving environments.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
chile:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
chile:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
chile:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay