Driving in Mexico vs Paraguay: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Mexico and Paraguay, various factors influence driving experiences. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and enforcement practices. While Mexico allows more flexibility with bus lanes and speed limits, Paraguay emphasizes stricter regulations, especially regarding alcohol limits and pedestrian rights. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a safer journey in either country.
Lanes
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
mexico:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Paraguay |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| 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
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate 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 right and stop if necessary | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 911 |
| 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 | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days