Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Costa Rica
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Costa Rica, drivers encounter distinct rules and norms that significantly influence their journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations, all crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Understanding these variations is essential for safe travel in both nations.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bosnia and herzegovina:
112
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay