Driving in El Salvador vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the contrasting road rules and regulations between El Salvador and the United Kingdom. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and overtaking practices, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safety while navigating abroad. Equip yourself with essential knowledge for a secure driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
el salvador:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
el salvador:
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]
el salvador:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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 | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
el salvador:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| 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
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| El salvador | 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
el salvador:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
el salvador:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | 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 | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
el salvador:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| El salvador | 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
el salvador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
el salvador:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay