Driving in Colombia vs Venezuela: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Venezuela, drivers must be aware of notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, these variations can significantly impact your travel experience. Understanding these contrasts ensures a safer journey, allowing you to adapt to each country's unique driving landscape effectively.
Lanes
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
venezuela:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
venezuela:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the 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
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
venezuela:
0.08%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
venezuela:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes, sometimes possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible