Driving in Argentina vs Italy: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roadways of Argentina and Italy, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their travel experience. From unique lane markings to contrasting speed limits, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Discover the essential driving distinctions between these two vibrant countries to enhance your travel preparations.
Lanes
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
Documentation
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days