Driving in Argentina vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Argentina and the Czech Republic, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these essential contrasts can significantly enhance safe driving abroad, ensuring a smoother journey through diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. |
| 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.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 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, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
argentina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
argentina:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
argentina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
argentina:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
argentina:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
argentina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
argentina:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
argentina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
argentina:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
argentina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
argentina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
argentina:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
argentina:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
argentina:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
argentina:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
argentina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
argentina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
argentina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
argentina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
argentina:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
argentina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
argentina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
argentina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
argentina:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
argentina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
argentina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
argentina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
argentina:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
argentina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
argentina:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
argentina:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.