Colombia vs Paraguay: Key Driving Differences Explained
As you prepare for your journey through Colombia or Paraguay, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a safe adventure. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption thresholds, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to navigate these countries confidently.
Lanes
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Paraguay |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| 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
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| 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
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in 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 | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police checkpoints |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days