Driving in Bolivia vs. Peru: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the diverse roads of Bolivia and Peru, understanding the unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include the presence of bus lanes in Peru, varying speed limits, and differences in alcohol enforcement. This comparison highlights crucial aspects of navigating these vibrant South American countries.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 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 | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
peru:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Peru |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bolivia:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
peru:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more 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
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay