Driving in Australia vs. Colombia: Key Differences Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Australia and Colombia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can significantly impact their travel experience. From varying speed limits to unique lane usage, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad. Explore the key distinctions that set these two countries apart on the road.
Lanes
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
colombia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
colombia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
colombia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Colombia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
colombia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| 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.
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| 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 in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately 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
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
colombia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay