Driving Differences: Belize vs. Croatia Explained
When exploring the roads of Belize and Croatia, understanding the distinct driving regulations is vital for a safe journey. Key differences include Belize's relaxed overtaking rules and speed limits in mph, contrasting with Croatia's well-defined bus lanes and lower alcohol thresholds. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a smoother and safer experience on foreign highways.
Lanes
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
croatia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
croatia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
croatia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
croatia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
croatia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
croatia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
croatia:
90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
croatia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
croatia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belize:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| 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 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
croatia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
croatia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
croatia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
croatia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
croatia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
croatia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; significant fines possible |
| 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 | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine