Driving in Georgia vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Georgia and Guatemala, striking contrasts emerge in traffic regulations and safety measures. From unique lane designs to differing speed limits, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these two countries diverge in their vehicular rules and practices.
Lanes
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
georgia:
30-50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
georgia:
Not used
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
Right Turn On Red
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
Documentation
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
georgia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
guatemala:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
georgia:
112
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 GEL | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities