Driving in Ecuador vs. Indonesia: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the driving landscapes of Ecuador and Indonesia reveals significant contrasts in road regulations and practices. While Ecuadorians navigate on the right side, Indonesians adhere to the left. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad in either nation. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ecuador:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
ecuador:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ecuador:
50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ecuador | Not used in Indonesia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
indonesia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
indonesia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is mandatory | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in urban areas. | Frequent use in traffic |
| 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. | Give way and make room |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
indonesia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
indonesia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
indonesia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
indonesia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
indonesia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
indonesia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
indonesia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Varies by region; 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
ecuador:
0.03%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
indonesia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
indonesia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
indonesia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
indonesia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
indonesia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
indonesia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
ecuador:
911 or 112
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
| 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
indonesia:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
indonesia:
Possible if fines are not paid