Driving Differences: Australia vs Peru Explained
When exploring the roads of Australia and Peru, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and road markings, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. This comparison highlights essential driving nuances to navigate confidently in both nations.
Lanes
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
peru:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
peru:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
peru:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
peru:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100-120 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; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
peru:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Peru |
| 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: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
australia:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
peru:
Not used in Peru
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
peru:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more 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
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
peru:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
peru:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
peru:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay