Driving in Belize vs. Colombia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belize or Colombia, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions, reflecting each country's unique approach to road safety. Dive into this comprehensive comparison to ensure a secure and informed journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
colombia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
colombia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
colombia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
colombia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Colombia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Test Refusal
belize:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations