Driving Differences: Colombia vs. Turkey Explained
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Turkey, it's essential to understand the crucial distinctions in their driving regulations. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals, these differences can significantly impact your travel experience. Stay informed and drive safely by recognizing these key contrasts between the two vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 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. | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges