Driving in Belgium vs. Costa Rica: Key Safety Differences
Discover the distinct driving regulations and practices between Belgium and Costa Rica, where road safety varies significantly. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure journey abroad. Notable differences include bus lane usage, overtaking rules, and alcohol limits, all vital for a safe driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
costa rica:
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.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belgium:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| 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 |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
costa rica:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay