Driving in Paraguay vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving practices between Paraguay and the United Kingdom. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol consumption rules, this comparison highlights crucial safety aspects for travelers. Understanding these variances will help ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Paraguay | 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 | Rarely, usually prohibited. | 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: Presence | Yes, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
paraguay:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
paraguay:
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
paraguay:
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
paraguay:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
paraguay:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 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 | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
paraguay:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
paraguay:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
paraguay:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
paraguay:
Common
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Paraguay | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; standard symbols used as well | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
paraguay:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. | 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 | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
paraguay:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
paraguay:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Paraguay | 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 | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
paraguay:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to allow passage | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
paraguay:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Paraguay | 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
paraguay:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
paraguay:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
paraguay:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
paraguay:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
paraguay:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Paraguay | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply; amount varies | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; amount varies | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and penalties | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay