Driving in Chile vs Japan: Key Differences Explained
Explore the fascinating distinctions in road practices between Chile and Japan, where driving regulations and safety measures vary significantly. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Equip yourself with knowledge before hitting the road!
Lanes
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right 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, overtaking is done on the right. |
| 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 taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
japan:
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.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Japan |
| 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| 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
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
japan:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
chile:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
japan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 119 |
| 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 or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days