Driving in Colombia vs Cuba: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Cuba, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that impact their journey. Key disparities include lane usage, speed limits, and enforcement of traffic violations. Understanding these unique driving norms will enhance safety and ensure a smooth experience for travelers in both countries..
Lanes
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Rare |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
colombia:
List length: 5
cuba:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
cuba:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
cuba:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
cuba:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
cuba:
Rare
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
cuba:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
cuba:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common; enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
cuba:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
cuba:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
cuba:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
cuba:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
cuba:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
cuba:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
cuba:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
cuba:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
cuba:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Cuba |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
cuba:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by area, check for local signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
cuba:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
cuba:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use than in some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
cuba:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 106 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 106 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Varies by provider; national lines may apply |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
cuba:
106
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
cuba:
106
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fine equivalent varies, local currency |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; usually paid directly to officers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay