Driving Differences: Chile vs. Nepal for Safe Travels
Embarking on a journey through Chile and Nepal reveals intriguing contrasts in roadway practices and regulations. While Chileans navigate on the right, Nepalese adhere to the left. From speed limits to signage, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 edge of the road. |
| 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, with caution. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Keep 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 | 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 |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
nepal:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
nepal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
nepal:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
nepal:
Keep left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
nepal:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
nepal:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
nepal:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
nepal:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
nepal:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
nepal:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
nepal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
nepal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| 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
nepal:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
nepal:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
nepal:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
nepal:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
nepal:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
nepal:
60 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
nepal:
60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
nepal:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
nepal:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Nepal |
| 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 | Nepali and English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
chile:
Amber
nepal:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
nepal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nepal:
Nepali and English
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nepal:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory; proof required |
| 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
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
nepal:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nepal:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
nepal:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
nepal:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
nepal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
chile:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
nepal:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
nepal:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
nepal:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
nepal:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes, common practice |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
nepal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
nepal:
Yes, common practice
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay