Driving in Guatemala vs. Peru: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Guatemala and Peru reveals intriguing contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From bus lane regulations to speed limits, these nations showcase unique approaches to vehicular norms. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
peru:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
peru:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Peru |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
guatemala:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
peru:
Not used in Peru
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay