Driving in Costa Rica vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Costa Rica and Uzbekistan, notable distinctions emerge. From lane usage regulations to speed limits and traffic etiquette, each country offers a distinct set of rules that prioritize road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for travelers seeking a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
costa rica:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
uzbekistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
costa rica:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines