Driving in Bolivia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring safety abroad. This comparison highlights essential driving norms that every traveler should know before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
bolivia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
bolivia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bolivia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
bolivia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
united kingdom:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
bolivia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
bolivia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| 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; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay