Driving Differences: Chile vs United Kingdom Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations in Chile and the United Kingdom, where driving practices vary significantly. Key distinctions include the driving sides, speed limits, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
chile:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
chile:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
chile:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
chile:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
chile:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
chile:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
chile:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
chile:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
chile:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay