Driving in Guatemala vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey through Guatemala and Tunisia presents unique challenges and considerations for motorists. This comparison highlights crucial distinctions in road etiquette, speed regulations, and documentation requirements. Travelers should note variations in lane usage and alcohol limits, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | N/A |
| 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.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
tunisia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
tunisia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
guatemala:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay