Driving in Mexico vs. Mozambique: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Mexico and Mozambique, notable distinctions emerge that affect travelers. From the driving side—right in Mexico versus left in Mozambique—to varying speed limits and traffic protocols, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring safety on unfamiliar roads. Prepare for a smoother journey by familiarizing yourself with these essential differences.
Lanes
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centers the road for no-passing zones. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
mozambique:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
mozambique:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
mozambique:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
mozambique:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
mozambique:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
mozambique:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
mozambique:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
mozambique:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
mozambique:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
mozambique:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
mozambique:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
mozambique:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Mozambique |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
mozambique:
Annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
mozambique:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
mozambique:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common, especially in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
mozambique:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
mozambique:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 121 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
mozambique:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
mozambique:
121
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
mozambique:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Mozambique | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Common; fines often paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
mozambique:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,