Driving in Chile vs. Kuwait: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Chile and Kuwait, it's essential to understand their distinct driving regulations and practices. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption policies, which can significantly impact your travel experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a safer journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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.
kuwait:
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.
kuwait:
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.
kuwait:
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.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used |
| 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
chile:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Roundabouts
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
kuwait:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days