Colombia vs Madagascar: Key Driving Differences Explained
Driving in Colombia and Madagascar presents distinct contrasts that every traveler should understand. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and emergency protocols, knowing these variances is vital for ensuring safe navigation. This comparison highlights key insights that will help you adapt smoothly to the roads of both countries.
Lanes
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
colombia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
colombia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
colombia:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
colombia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
colombia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
colombia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
colombia:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority