Driving in Norway vs. Paraguay: Key Safety Differences
Navigating the roads of Norway and Paraguay reveals intriguing contrasts in traffic regulations and driving culture. While Norway emphasizes strict speed limits and a comprehensive lane system, Paraguay offers more flexible overtaking rules and varying turn permissions. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 110 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
paraguay:
Common
Signals
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Paraguay |
Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
norway:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 911 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
Norway | Paraguay | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fines apply; amount varies |
Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines apply; amount varies |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Substantial fines and penalties |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days