Driving in Guatemala vs. Indonesia: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Guatemala and Indonesia, understanding the key variances in their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From lane usage to speed limits and emergency protocols, each nation presents distinct rules that travelers must navigate. Discover the vital contrasts to drive safely and confidently in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
indonesia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Indonesia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
guatemala:
122
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days