Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Mozambique
Exploring the roads of Costa Rica and Mozambique reveals intriguing contrasts in vehicular conduct and regulations. While Costa Rica drives on the right, Mozambique adheres to the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations further distinguish the two nations, emphasizing the importance of understanding local driving customs for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centers the road for no-passing zones. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
mozambique:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
mozambique:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
mozambique:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
mozambique:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
mozambique:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
mozambique:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
mozambique:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
mozambique:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
mozambique:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
mozambique:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
mozambique:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
mozambique:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Mozambique |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
mozambique:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required | Annually |
| 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
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
mozambique:
Annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
mozambique:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
mozambique:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
mozambique:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 121 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
mozambique:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
mozambique:
121
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines can be significant |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
mozambique:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,