Driving in Bolivia vs. Indonesia: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road rules of Bolivia and Indonesia, notable distinctions emerge that every traveler should heed. From driving on opposite sides to unique speed limits and lane usage regulations, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey. Prepare for your travels by familiarizing yourself with the essential nuances of both countries' roadway etiquette.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
indonesia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Indonesia |
| 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 | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
indonesia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days