Driving in Colombia vs. Kuwait: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential driving contrasts between Colombia and Kuwait to enhance your road safety abroad. From varying speed limits and lane usage to distinct traffic regulations and documentation requirements, understanding these key aspects will prepare you for a seamless driving experience in either country. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
colombia:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days