Driving in Chile vs. Peru: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Chile and Peru, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with Chile enforcing stricter guidelines. This comparison will equip travelers with essential insights for confident driving in these vibrant South American countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
peru:
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.
peru:
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.
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 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; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Peru |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
chile:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
peru:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; fines can be significant |
| 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, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
peru:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay