Driving in Australia vs Latvia: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Australia and Latvia reveals significant contrasts, such as driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and strict alcohol policies. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions ensures a smoother and more secure travel experience in both nations.
LEFT
Driving Side
The driving side in australia is the Left Side of the road
87
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in australia is 87
1.032 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for australia is 1.032 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | |
| 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 | N/A | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
latvia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
latvia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
latvia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
latvia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Latvia | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | |
| 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 vehicle inspection required | |
| 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.
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Australia and Latvia reveals significant contrasts, such as driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and strict alcohol policies. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions ensures a smoother and more secure travel experience in both nations.
Alcohol
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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, especially on weekends | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
latvia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
latvia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local services | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
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| Australia | Latvia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | €20 to €40, fines vary | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | €10 to €30, fines vary | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | €30 to €70, points on license | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days