Driving in Bolivia vs Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Bolivia and Thailand, several crucial distinctions emerge. From driving on opposite sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique traffic regulations, understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure and compliant experience behind the wheel in either nation. Explore these driving nuances to stay safe while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
thailand:
Left
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| 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
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
thailand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Thailand |
| 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 | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
thailand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bolivia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days