Driving in Mexico vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Mexico and Romania presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency equipment requirements. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and well-informed experience on the roads of these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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 and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
mexico:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist