Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. United Kingdom
When exploring the roads of Guatemala and the United Kingdom, it's essential to understand the distinct driving regulations and practices that govern each nation. From lane usage and speed limits to the protocols for emergency vehicles, these disparities significantly impact road safety and navigation. Being informed can enhance your travel experience and ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
guatemala:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
guatemala:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
guatemala:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
guatemala:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
guatemala:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
guatemala:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
guatemala:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
guatemala:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
guatemala:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay