Driving Differences: Algeria vs. Colombia Explained
When navigating the roads of Algeria and Colombia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Notable distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in Colombia, enhancing road safety. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a smooth and secure journey in each country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
colombia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
colombia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Colombia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay