Driving in Colombia vs Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations between Colombia and Guatemala to enhance your travel experience. From varying speed limits to unique lane use and alcohol restrictions, understanding these driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety on the roads. Whether you're navigating urban areas or rural landscapes, being informed will make your journey smoother and safer.
Lanes
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
guatemala:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities