Driving in Chile vs. Slovakia: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Chile and Slovakia offers distinct experiences shaped by unique regulations and practices. While Chile allows right turns on red and imposes a 0.03% alcohol limit, Slovakia enforces a strict 0.00% limit and prohibits such turns. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels in foreign territories.
Lanes
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
slovakia:
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.
slovakia:
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.
slovakia:
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.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 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 | 130 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Alcohol
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
slovakia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common |
| 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
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay