Driving Differences: Ireland vs Paraguay for Safer Roads
When considering a trip to Ireland or Paraguay, understanding the distinct driving regulations and road customs is essential for ensuring safe travels. From the left-side driving in Ireland to Paraguay’s right-side approach, this comparison highlights crucial variations in speed limits, signaling practices, and road etiquette that every traveler should know.
Lanes
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
paraguay:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
paraguay:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ireland:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
paraguay:
Common
Signals
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Paraguay |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
paraguay:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
paraguay:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ireland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; police checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Emergency Services
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 911 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
Ireland | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply; amount varies |
Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply; amount varies |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Substantial fines and penalties |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days