Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Japan Explained
Discover the distinct driving styles between Guatemala and Japan, two countries with unique road regulations and customs. Key differences include the side of the road on which vehicles navigate, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| 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 taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
guatemala:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
japan:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days