Driving in Chile vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Chile and Guatemala, understanding the nuances in their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your road experience and promote safety during your travels.
Lanes
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | 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 sometimes colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
guatemala:
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.
guatemala:
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.
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Guatemala |
| 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
guatemala:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities