Driving Differences: Belize vs. Bhutan Uncovered
When exploring the diverse road rules of Belize and Bhutan, travelers will uncover significant variations in driving practices. From the contrasting sides of the road to unique speed regulations, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Dive into the driving nuances of both nations to enhance your safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Driving Side
belize:
Right
bhutan:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
belize:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bhutan:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | Up to 60 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
bhutan:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Bhutan |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Turns
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
bhutan:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
bhutan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Emergency Services
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; often involves fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required