Driving in Bolivia vs Madagascar: Key Differences Explained
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of Bolivia and Madagascar, where road rules and regulations vary significantly. From speed limits and lane usage to emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Prepare for your travels by exploring the key disparities that can impact your driving experience in these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
bolivia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bolivia:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bolivia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bolivia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bolivia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bolivia:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
bolivia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority