Driving in Colombia vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and the Czech Republic, understanding the distinct regulations is crucial for safe travel. From speed limits and lane markings to traffic signals and alcohol limits, significant disparities arise. While Colombia allows certain overtaking maneuvers, the Czech Republic enforces stricter rules to enhance road safety. Prepare for a smoother journey by familiarizing yourself with these variations.
Lanes
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
czech republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
colombia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
colombia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
colombia:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
colombia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
colombia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
colombia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
colombia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
colombia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
colombia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
colombia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
colombia:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
colombia:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
colombia:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
colombia:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
colombia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
colombia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
colombia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
colombia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
colombia:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
colombia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
czech republic:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
colombia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
colombia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
colombia:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
colombia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
colombia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
colombia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
colombia:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
colombia:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.