Driving in Italy vs. Venezuela: Key Differences Unveiled
Embarking on a journey through Italy or Venezuela? Understanding the driving customs and regulations in these two nations is crucial for a safe adventure. Key distinctions include speed limits, traffic signal usage, and the presence of variable speed signs. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate both roads with confidence and security.
Lanes
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
venezuela:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
venezuela:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
venezuela:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
venezuela:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
venezuela:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
venezuela:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes, sometimes possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay