Driving in Colombia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Colombia and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, unique lane markings, and differing speed limits. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
colombia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
colombia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
colombia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
colombia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
colombia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
colombia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Rare; 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
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay