Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Costa Rica
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Costa Rica, understanding the distinct driving regulations and customs is essential for a secure journey. Key differences emerge, such as speed limits, road markings, and the enforcement of traffic laws. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will enhance your travel experience and keep you safe on unfamiliar streets.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
costa rica:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay