Driving in Paraguay vs. Venezuela: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Paraguay and Venezuela, understanding the variations in traffic regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds, which significantly influence driving behavior and safety. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate these vibrant countries confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Rarely, usually prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mainly in urban areas. | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas. | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
Overtaking: On Right
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
venezuela:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Speeds Limits
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
paraguay:
40 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
110 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
venezuela:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
paraguay:
Common
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Paraguay | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; standard symbols used as well | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent than in some countries | 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 right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
venezuela:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
venezuela:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police checkpoints | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
paraguay:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
paraguay:
911
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Recommended
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Paraguay | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply; amount varies | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; amount varies | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and penalties | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police | Yes, sometimes possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay