Driving in Austria vs Paraguay: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in roadway practices between Austria and Paraguay. This comparison reveals significant distinctions in lane markings, speed regulations, and traffic signals, shedding light on unique driving customs. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring safe navigation while abroad, making your journey through these diverse landscapes both enjoyable and secure.
Lanes
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | 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.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
paraguay:
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.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
paraguay:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 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 | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
paraguay:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Paraguay |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
paraguay:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days