Driving in Bolivia vs. New Zealand: Key Differences Revealed
Driving in Bolivia and New Zealand presents a unique set of contrasts that every traveler should understand. From the significant variations in lane usage and speed limits to distinct traffic regulations, the nuances of road etiquette and emergency protocols make navigating these countries quite different. Familiarizing yourself with these driving customs is essential for a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| 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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bolivia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay