Driving in Colombia vs. Norway: A Safety Comparison
When exploring the contrasting road regulations of Colombia and Norway, drivers will discover intriguing distinctions that influence their travel experiences. Key variations range from speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption rules. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey in either country.
Lanes
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
norway:
Yes, typically required