Driving in Costa Rica vs. Poland: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Poland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their journey. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. This comparison highlights key differences, helping travelers adjust to each country's unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
poland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
poland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
poland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
costa rica:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
costa rica:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
costa rica:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
costa rica:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
costa rica:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
costa rica:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
costa rica:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
costa rica:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
costa rica:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
costa rica:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
costa rica:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
costa rica:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
costa rica:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
costa rica:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
costa rica:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
costa rica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
costa rica:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
poland:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
costa rica:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
costa rica:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
costa rica:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
costa rica:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
costa rica:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
costa rica:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
costa rica:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
costa rica:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.