Driving in Argentina vs. Belgium: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Argentina and Belgium, several striking contrasts emerge. From lane markings to speed limits and traffic signals, each nation has unique practices that influence vehicular navigation. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe and responsible travel while abroad. Discover the essential driving guidelines that will help you stay secure on the roads of both countries.
Lanes
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
belgium:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are mailed to the driver |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
belgium:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
belgium:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
belgium:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
belgium:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
Signals
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Yes; indicates impending green light |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
Turns
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless specific signage permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; national driving license sufficient |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; conducted by police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity of offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
belgium:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
belgium:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fine of around 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines; points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | No; fines usually mailed to the driver |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay