Driving in Bolivia vs Colombia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the diverse roads of Bolivia and Colombia, it's crucial to understand their distinct traffic regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, these nations exhibit notable variations. This comparison aims to equip travelers with essential insights, ensuring a secure and informed driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
colombia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
colombia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Colombia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
colombia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay