Driving Differences: Japan vs. Mexico Explained
When navigating the roads of Japan and Mexico, understanding the distinct regulations and driving customs is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key contrasts include Japan's left-side driving and strict speed limits compared to Mexico's right-side driving and more flexible speed regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | 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 taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
mexico:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments