Driving in Argentina vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Argentina and the United Kingdom, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and signaling practices at roundabouts. With Argentina driving on the right and the UK on the left, staying informed helps ensure your travels remain secure and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
argentina:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
argentina:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
argentina:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
argentina:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
argentina:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
argentina:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
argentina:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
argentina:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
argentina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
argentina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
argentina:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay