Driving in Bolivia vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When considering road safety abroad, understanding the variations in regulations is crucial. Our analysis reveals notable contrasts between Bolivia and Portugal, particularly in lane usage and speed limits. While Bolivia permits overtaking on multi-lane roads, Portugal enforces stricter rules, including the prohibition of right turns on red lights, ensuring a safer driving experience.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 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: 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
portugal:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
portugal:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible |
| 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
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay