Driving in Austria vs Bolivia: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Austria and Bolivia, motorists encounter notable variations in traffic regulations and driving culture. From speed limits and lane markings to the use of indicators, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safety and compliance abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in their roadway norms to drive with confidence.
Lanes
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
bolivia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
bolivia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
bolivia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bolivia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bolivia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No, not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, fines can be issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
bolivia:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bolivia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
bolivia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
Signals
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Bolivia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
austria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
bolivia:
Spanish
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints often used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies, can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bolivia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
bolivia:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
bolivia:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; may result in points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines may apply, varies by location |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly