Driving in Argentina vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
When embarking on a journey through Argentina or Guatemala, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure experience. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals and enforcement practices, this comparison highlights essential differences that every traveler should know. Stay informed and drive safely in these diverse landscapes!
Lanes
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
argentina:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities