Driving in Guatemala vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts between Guatemala and Mexico regarding road regulations and driving practices. From speed limits to lane usage, each country presents unique rules that impact vehicular safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure journey and navigating the roads confidently when traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
mexico:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments