Argentina vs Canada: Key Driving Differences Explained
When embarking on a journey, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe travels. This comparison between Argentina and Canada reveals vital distinctions in traffic rules, speed limits, and road etiquette. From lane markings to alcohol limits, knowing these variations will enhance your driving experience and ensure your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often green paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| 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.
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
argentina:
No
canada:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
canada:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
canada:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90-110 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 | Yes, but varies by province |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
canada:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
canada:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
canada:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
canada:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
canada:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
canada:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
canada:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
Signals
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Canada |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
canada:
Not used in Canada
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
Turns
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by province and locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Mandatory liability insurance |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
argentina:
Liability insurance mandatory
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
canada:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%, zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by province; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
canada:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
canada:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Depends on province; often 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or CAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Varies; often upwards of $200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail