Driving in Chile vs. Vietnam: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Chile and Vietnam presents unique regulations and practices that can impact your journey. From speed limits and lane usage to signaling and road etiquette, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe experience abroad. Discover the essential contrasts that can enhance your awareness on the roads of these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
vietnam:
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.
vietnam:
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.
vietnam:
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.
vietnam:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
vietnam:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vietnam:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
vietnam:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
vietnam:
50-70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
vietnam:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
vietnam:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
vietnam:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
vietnam:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
vietnam:
Common
Signals
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Vietnam |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Limited restriction |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines in some areas for excessive use |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Discouraged for signaling other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Vietnamese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
vietnam:
Not used in Vietnam
Horn Usage: Allowed
chile:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
vietnam:
Commonly used in urban areas
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
vietnam:
Limited restriction
Horn Usage: Penalties
chile:
Fines may apply for misuse
vietnam:
Fines in some areas for excessive use
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
chile:
Not to be used to signal other messages
vietnam:
Discouraged for signaling other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vietnam:
Vietnamese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
vietnam:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless granted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vietnam:
Prohibited unless granted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vietnam:
Prohibited in central urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | An International Driving Permit is recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
vietnam:
An International Driving Permit is recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
vietnam:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
vietnam:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Expected in congested traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Common but limited by law in cities |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to Western countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop, if possible |
Flashing Lights: Usage
chile:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
vietnam:
Common in heavy traffic to signal freedom of movement
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
chile:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
vietnam:
Expected in congested traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
chile:
Only in emergency situations
vietnam:
Common but limited by law in cities
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
vietnam:
Frequent use compared to Western countries
Pedestrians Priority
chile:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
vietnam:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vietnam:
Pull over and stop, if possible
Alcohol
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; strict enforcement |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
vietnam:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
vietnam:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vietnam:
0.02%; strict enforcement
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
vietnam:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
vietnam:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
vietnam:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
vietnam:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
vietnam:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
vietnam:
Check with insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
vietnam:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Heavy fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Typically around 10-15 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
vietnam:
Varies; VNÐ 500,000 to VNÐ 4,000,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
vietnam:
Heavy fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
vietnam:
VNÐ 100,000 to VNÐ 200,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
vietnam:
VNÐ 600,000 to VNÐ 1,000,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
vietnam:
VNÐ 300,000 to VNÐ 500,000
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
vietnam:
Common for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
vietnam:
Typically around 10-15 days