Driving in Bolivia vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
Driving in Bolivia and Trinidad and Tobago presents unique challenges and regulations. With Bolivia favoring right-side travel and Trinidad and Tobago opting for left, road users encounter distinct lane markings and speed limits. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| 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 | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| 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 |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
trinidad and tobago:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
bolivia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bolivia:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bolivia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days