Driving in Australia vs. Chile: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Australia and Chile, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From the side of the road to speed limits, the nuances affect travel dynamics. While Australia mandates left-side navigation, Chile adheres to right-side driving, showcasing distinct approaches to safety and efficiency on highways and urban streets.
Lanes
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
chile:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
chile:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
chile:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
chile:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
chile:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Chile |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
chile:
Not used in Chile
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
chile:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
chile:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
chile:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay