Driving Differences: Colombia vs. India Explained
When exploring road safety abroad, understanding the nuances between Colombia and India is essential. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Colombia and left in India—along with varying speed limits and lane usage. These factors play a crucial role in ensuring a secure driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
india:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-50 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 | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
colombia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
colombia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
colombia:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| 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 in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
india:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay