Driving Differences: Colombia vs. Myanmar
When exploring the roads of Colombia and Myanmar, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, highlighting how each country approaches vehicle operation uniquely. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; else must be paid at office |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office