Driving in Colombia vs. Italy: Key Differences Explored
Driving in Colombia and Italy presents unique contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. While Colombia features flexible speed limits and distinct lane markings, Italy emphasizes stringent traffic regulations and advanced signage. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the roads of these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 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 | 80 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. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
italy:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
italy:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days