Driving Differences: Bolivia vs Mexico Safety Guide
When traversing the roads of Bolivia and Mexico, travelers should be aware of the notable distinctions in driving practices and regulations. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights essential aspects that can significantly impact your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
mexico:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Mexico |
| 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 | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
mexico:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate 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
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments