Driving Differences: Mexico vs United Kingdom Explained
When navigating the roads of Mexico and the United Kingdom, understanding the unique rules of the road is essential for ensuring a safe journey. From driving on opposite sides to variable speed limits and traffic signaling methods, these countries present distinct driving customs that every traveler should be aware of. Stay informed to drive confidently abroad!
Lanes
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
mexico:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
mexico:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
mexico:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
mexico:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
mexico:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
mexico:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
mexico:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
mexico:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
mexico:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay