Driving Differences: Indonesia vs. Mexico Explained
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safe travel, especially when comparing Indonesia and Mexico. From the opposing driving sides to distinct speed limits and traffic protocols, these two nations present unique challenges for motorists. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your confidence while navigating their roads.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
mexico:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments