Bolivia vs Guatemala: Key Driving Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Bolivia and Guatemala, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. From varying speed limits to the presence of cycle lanes, these key contrasts underscore the importance of understanding each nation’s unique driving culture for safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Guatemala |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
guatemala:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
guatemala:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities