Driving in Colombia vs. Tunisia: Key Differences Explained
Explore the unique driving experiences of Colombia and Tunisia as we delve into essential distinctions that impact road safety. From speed limits and lane regulations to alcohol tolerance and emergency contacts, understanding these variations can significantly enhance your journey abroad. Stay informed and navigate the roads confidently in both countries!
Lanes
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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
tunisia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
colombia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay