Driving Differences: Chile vs. Tunisia for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Chile and Tunisia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can impact their safety and experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and signage. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically permitted. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
tunisia:
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.
tunisia:
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.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| 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
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not typically 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 and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
chile:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
tunisia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay