Driving in Colombia vs El Salvador: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and El Salvador, understanding the unique regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Notable distinctions include speed limits, traffic signals, and enforcement measures. While Colombia emphasizes strict adherence to speed regulations, El Salvador allows right turns on red, making awareness crucial for travelers in both nations.
Lanes
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
el salvador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
el salvador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
el salvador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
el salvador:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
el salvador:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not common in El Salvador |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
el salvador:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
el salvador:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
el salvador:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay