Driving in Bolivia vs. Italy: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Bolivia and Italy, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Notable contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and the use of emergency services. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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. |
| 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.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 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 | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
italy:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| 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 | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
italy:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less 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
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days