Driving in Belgium vs. Chile: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the diverse rules of the road, this comparison between Belgium and Chile reveals notable distinctions in traffic regulations and safety practices. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these variations is essential for drivers looking to navigate safely in either country. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey abroad!
Lanes
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
chile:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
chile:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
chile:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay