Driving in Bolivia vs. Paraguay: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Bolivia and Paraguay with our comprehensive comparison. Uncover essential distinctions such as lane usage, speed regulations, and road etiquette. From the presence of bus lanes to varying speed limits, this guide ensures you drive safely and confidently while navigating the roads of these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Paraguay |
| 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; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
paraguay:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in 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 | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bolivia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days