Driving in Guatemala vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Guatemala and Latvia, understanding the distinct driving regulations and customs can significantly enhance your safety and experience. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic sign languages. Discover how these differences shape the driving landscape in each country, ensuring a smoother journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
latvia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
latvia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
latvia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
latvia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
guatemala:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days