Driving Differences: Cambodia vs. Guatemala Explained
Driving in Cambodia and Guatemala presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. Key differences include speed limits, the presence of cycling lanes, and the enforcement of alcohol limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cambodia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 110 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cambodia:
119
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
guatemala:
110
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; penalties applied | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities