Driving in Costa Rica vs Norway: Key Safety Differences
Costa Rica and Norway present unique contrasts in their road regulations and driving practices. From speed limits and lane markings to overtaking rules and emergency contacts, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover how these two nations prioritize vehicular safety and road etiquette in this insightful comparison.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| 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
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
norway:
Yes, typically required