Driving Differences: Belgium vs Colombia Unveiled
Discover the unique rules of the road as we explore the driving landscapes of Belgium and Colombia. From lane markings to speed regulations, these nations showcase distinct practices that influence traveler safety. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking regulations, and emergency contact numbers, ensuring that foreign drivers are well-prepared for their journeys.
Lanes
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
colombia:
Allowed 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.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Colombia |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
colombia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay