Driving Differences: Colombia vs. Libya Revealed
When exploring the diverse roads of Colombia and Libya, understanding the contrasting rules and regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your driving experience and ensure your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 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 | 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 | Generally not used. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
libya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
libya:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
libya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
libya:
Generally not used.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
libya:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Libya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
colombia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
libya:
Not used in Libya
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| 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
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
libya:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days