Driving in Costa Rica vs. Montenegro: Key Differences
Costa Rica and Montenegro offer unique driving landscapes that reflect their cultural nuances. While Costa Rica permits overtaking on multi-lane roads, Montenegro has notable bus lanes and higher speed limits. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring road safety when navigating these distinct environments. Prepare for your journey with our detailed comparison!
Lanes
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
montenegro:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
montenegro:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
montenegro:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
montenegro:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
montenegro:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Montenegro |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| 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 required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Use common but regulated |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
montenegro:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days