Driving Differences: Chile vs. Indonesia Explained
Explore the driving landscape of Chile and Indonesia, where distinct regulations shape the road experience. While Chileians drive on the right with strict speed limits, Indonesians navigate on the left with a more lenient approach to overtaking. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels in both countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
indonesia:
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.
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Indonesia |
| 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 | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days