Driving in Mexico vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roadways of Mexico and Serbia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their experiences. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure journey and navigating unfamiliar terrains efficiently. Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, knowledge is your best ally.
Lanes
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
serbia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 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 | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
serbia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Varies by city; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
serbia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay