Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Guatemala Explained
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Guatemala, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their safety and experience. From speed limits to lane markings and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Dive into this comparison to navigate the unique driving landscapes of both nations.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Guatemala |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
guatemala:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities