Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Monaco Safety Tips
As you prepare for your journey abroad, understanding the diverse road regulations between Guatemala and Monaco is essential for a secure driving experience. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol enforcement, these two nations present stark contrasts that every traveler should be aware of to ensure a smooth and safe trip.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
monaco:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
monaco:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
guatemala:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
monaco:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
monaco:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon