Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. France Explained
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Bolivia and France, where regulations and road etiquette diverge significantly. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable travel experience abroad. Dive into our detailed comparison to drive safely in both nations.
Lanes
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
france:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 130 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
france:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in France |
| 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 especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
france:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay