Driving Differences: Chile vs. Croatia Explained
As you prepare to traverse the roads of Chile and Croatia, understanding the essential contrasts in their traffic regulations is paramount. From speed limits to signaling practices, both nations offer unique driving landscapes that prioritize safety. Explore these intriguing distinctions to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced. |
| 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 | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
croatia:
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.
croatia:
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.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
croatia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
croatia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
chile:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Alcohol
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
croatia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
croatia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
croatia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
croatia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine