Driving in Chile vs Paraguay: Key Differences You Need to Know
Explore the unique nuances of road regulations and vehicle operation in Chile and Paraguay. From speed limits to lane markings, discover how these South American nations differ in their approach to ensuring safe travel. Key distinctions include stricter urban speed limits in Paraguay and varying bus lane usages, impacting your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| 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 with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
paraguay:
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.
paraguay:
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.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| 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
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Paraguay |
| 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 | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| 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
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
chile:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
paraguay:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| 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 apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days