Driving in Colombia vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Mexico, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds, all of which vary significantly between these neighboring nations. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will ensure a smoother and more secure travel experience.
Lanes
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments