Driving in Afghanistan vs. Mexico: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Mexico, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and driving practices is crucial for ensuring your safety. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits, with Afghanistan emphasizing stricter controls while Mexico offers more structured lane usage. Stay informed for a secure journey!
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| 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 | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments