Driving in Cambodia vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and traffic norms between Cambodia and the Czech Republic. While Cambodia permits right turns on red and has flexible speed limits, the Czech Republic enforces stricter alcohol guidelines and mandatory bus lanes. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safe and responsible travel in both countries.
Lanes
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cambodia:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cambodia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cambodia:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
cambodia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
cambodia:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
cambodia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cambodia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
cambodia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cambodia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
cambodia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
cambodia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
cambodia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
cambodia:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
cambodia:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
cambodia:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
cambodia:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
cambodia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cambodia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cambodia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cambodia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
cambodia:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
cambodia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
cambodia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
cambodia:
0.05%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
cambodia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
cambodia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cambodia:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
cambodia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
cambodia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
cambodia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
cambodia:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
cambodia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
cambodia:
119
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; penalties applied | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
cambodia:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cambodia:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.