Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs United Kingdom
Exploring the driving landscapes of Costa Rica and the United Kingdom reveals intriguing contrasts. From lane regulations and speed limits to signage and road etiquette, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe travel. Whether navigating right-hand turns in Costa Rica or adhering to strict speed enforcement in the UK, knowing these driving nuances enhances road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
costa rica:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
costa rica:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
costa rica:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
costa rica:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
costa rica:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
costa rica:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
costa rica:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay