Driving in Bolivia vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and Norway, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol consumption restrictions, the contrasts are striking. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while on the move in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 90-110 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
norway:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay