Driving in Guatemala vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
Driving in Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago presents distinct contrasts that travelers should be aware of. From differing traffic regulations to unique lane usage, each country has its own rules governing the road. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 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 | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
guatemala:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
guatemala:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
guatemala:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days