Driving in Guatemala vs. Paraguay: Key Differences Explained
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of Guatemala and Paraguay, where unique regulations and practices shape the road experience. Key contrasts include bus lane presence, speed limits, and traffic enforcement. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either country, enhancing your overall travel safety abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Paraguay |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days