Driving in Mexico vs. Peru: Key Safety Differences
When traveling through Mexico and Peru, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is vital for safe navigation. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds. While Mexico allows right turns on red, Peru strictly prohibits them. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Peru |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
mexico:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
peru:
Not used in Peru
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay