Driving in Argentina vs. Colombia: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving regulations between Argentina and Colombia to enhance your travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, alcohol thresholds, and lane usage, all of which impact road safety. Understanding these variations is crucial for a smooth journey and responsible navigation in these vibrant South American nations.
Lanes
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-60 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 | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Colombia |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Turns
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations