Driving in Belize vs. Paraguay: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belize and Paraguay, understanding the distinct driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, which significantly impact your experience behind the wheel. Familiarizing yourself with these variances will ensure your travels remain secure and enjoyable in both nations.
Lanes
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 110 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
paraguay:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Paraguay |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
belize:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days