Driving in Argentina vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Argentina and Norway, travelers encounter distinct driving regulations and norms. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds, which significantly impact road safety. Understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
argentina:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-110 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
norway:
Yes, typically required