Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. Chile
When venturing from Bolivia to Chile, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions arise in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol limits, with Chile enforcing stricter measures. This comparison sheds light on vital driving protocols, ensuring travelers navigate both countries with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
chile:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
chile:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
chile:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay