Driving in Chile vs. Colombia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Chile and Colombia, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these nuances ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience while traveling through these vibrant South American countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Colombia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay