Colombia vs France: Driving Differences You Must Know
Exploring the road regulations in Colombia and France reveals intriguing contrasts that every traveler should know. From speed limits to lane markings, the nuances in driving norms significantly impact safety and navigation. Understanding these distinctions can empower you to navigate each country's streets with confidence and composure.
Lanes
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
france:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 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. | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
france:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay