Driving in Bolivia vs. Slovakia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bolivia and Slovakia, it’s crucial to understand their distinct driving regulations and practices. Key differences include speed limits, road etiquette, and the presence of bus lanes. While Bolivia allows right turns on red, Slovakia maintains stricter traffic rules, making awareness essential for safe travel in both nations.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 130 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
slovakia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
slovakia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay