Driving in Colombia vs. Mozambique: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing distinctions in road regulations and habits between Colombia and Mozambique. From driving sides to speed limits, each nation presents unique challenges for motorists. Notably, Colombia drives on the right while Mozambique favors the left. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centers the road for no-passing zones. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| 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. | 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 |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
mozambique:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
mozambique:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mozambique:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mozambique:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
mozambique:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
mozambique:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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
mozambique:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
mozambique:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
mozambique:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
mozambique:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
mozambique:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Mozambique |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annually |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
mozambique:
Annually
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially in urban areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
mozambique:
0.06%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
mozambique:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 121 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
mozambique:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
mozambique:
121
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; fines often paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,