Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. Kuwait Revealed
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and Kuwait, distinct variations in traffic regulations and safety protocols emerge. From differing speed limits and lane usage to unique documentation requirements, understanding these contrasts is crucial for travelers. This comparison highlights key aspects of driving etiquette and regulations to ensure a smooth and secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
kuwait:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used |
| 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
kuwait:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bolivia:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days