Driving in Bolivia vs. El Salvador: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Bolivia and El Salvador as we explore their distinct road regulations and safety measures. Key contrasts include the presence of bus lanes in El Salvador and varying speed limits, which significantly impact travel experiences. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
el salvador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
el salvador:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
el salvador:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not common in El Salvador |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
el salvador:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial fines and penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
el salvador:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay