Driving in Colombia vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Colombia and New Zealand, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key disparities include driving on the right versus the left side, varying speed limits, and unique approaches to road etiquette. This comparison will guide you in navigating these diverse driving environments effectively.
Lanes
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay