Driving in Guatemala vs Norway: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Guatemala and Norway, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds and emergency contacts, understanding these distinctions is crucial for safe travels. This comprehensive comparison sheds light on essential driving norms, ensuring your journey abroad is both informed and secure.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay