Belize vs Guatemala: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Belize and Guatemala, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, emergency equipment requirements, and traffic signals. While Belize operates in miles per hour, Guatemala uses kilometers per hour, highlighting the need for awareness of local guidelines.
Lanes
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Varies by location. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
guatemala:
Varies by location.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
guatemala:
80 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
guatemala:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
guatemala:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities