Driving Differences: Chile vs. Venezuela Explained
When comparing road regulations in Chile and Venezuela, notable distinctions emerge that can significantly impact your journey. From speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these South American countries differ to drive safely and confidently on their roads.
Lanes
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| 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: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
venezuela:
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.
venezuela:
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.
venezuela:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 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 | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
venezuela:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used |
| 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 red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
venezuela:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
venezuela:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the 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
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
venezuela:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; 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 applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes, sometimes possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
venezuela:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay