Driving in Australia vs. Costa Rica: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Australia and Costa Rica, understanding their unique traffic regulations and driving customs is vital for a safe journey. While Australia drives on the left and emphasizes bus lanes, Costa Rica opts for right-side navigation and shared road usage for buses. Discover these fascinating contrasts to enhance your travel experience.
Lanes
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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. | Speed limits are generally static. |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
costa rica:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
costa rica:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
australia:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Costa Rica |
| 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; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
| 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
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
costa rica:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Roundabouts
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay