Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Turkey Explained
Costa Rica and Turkey present intriguing contrasts in their roadway regulations and driving practices. From the presence of bus lanes to speed limits, each country enforces unique rules that impact traveler safety. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring secure and efficient navigation while abroad, making this comparison invaluable for international drivers.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 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 | 90 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges