Driving in Belize vs. Bolivia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Belize and Bolivia, drivers will encounter notable variations in regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe navigation in each country. Discover how these two nations differ in their driving cultures and rules.
Lanes
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
bolivia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | No, not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes, fines can be issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
bolivia:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
bolivia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
bolivia:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
Signals
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Bolivia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
Horn Usage: Allowed
belize:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
bolivia:
Spanish
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints often used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies, can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
bolivia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
bolivia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
bolivia:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bolivia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; may result in points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines may apply, varies by location |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Fines apply and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
bolivia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly